{INTERS
AND PRTTs
IN PJ.
•* :> V
1 / <&*'
PRINTERS
AND PRINTING
IN PROVIDENCE
1762-1907
PREPARED BY A COMMITTEE OF
PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL
UNION NUMBER THIRTY-THREE
AS A SOUVENIR OF THE FIFTIETH
ANNIVERSARY OF ITS INSTITUTION
C.F. W. Marshall, M. R. Hal-
laday, Harold Eugene Winslow,
Michael J. McHugh, Artists.
C. Frank M. Mills, George M.
Murray, Nacib Boyoshian, Al-
bert Rueckert, Charles Gorman,
Photo-Engravers. €L Providence
Printing Co., Hugh F. Carroll,
Manager; Anita Metivier, Ed-
ward Leslie Pike, Maurice E.
Hughes, Compositors. €L Theo-
dore A. Miller, Pressman,
Providence, R. I. C, Thomas
Hearn & Co., Binders, Boston.
Nineteen Hundred and Seven.
INDEX
Introduction . . . 5-8
Providence Newspapers Before 1800 . . . . . 9-20
Democratic Newspapers in Providence . , . . . . 21-26
Rhode Island American 27-28
The Providence Journal . . . • • . . . . . 29-38
Dorrite-Knownothing . ..... . . , , 39
The Morning Mirror . . 40
Press and Star 41-42
The Providence News 43
The Evening Record ........ 44-45
The Tribune 46-47
The Labor Press . . . ... . . . . 48-50
List of Daily Newspapers . 51
Sunday Newspapers 52
Fifty- Year History of Providence Typographical Union . . 53-93
The Reorganization 94-174
The Eight-Hour Day and the Great Strike in Providence . 175-188
The Book and Job Section 189-208
Reminiscent 209-212
The Journeymen . . •" ; . . .... i-xcvi
Subscribers xcvii-xcvm
ILLUSTRATIONS
Opposite Page
Souvenir Committee 4
Printer Publishers . 12
Early Providence Newspaper Headings .... 20
Providence Journal Co. Building, 1905 .... 28
Homes of the Providence Journal ..... 36
Tribune Counting Room 44
Providence Typographical Union :
1857 Charter Members 52-60
Presidents of No. 33 68
I. T. U. Delegates ........ 76
Officers of No. 33 for 1907 84
Groups of the Journeymen :
Journal Employes . . 92-100-108
Tribune Employes 116-124
News-Democrat Employes 132
Headquarters Chapel .... . 140
Former Providence Printers Now Employed on Boston Globe 148-156
In the Composing Room 164
Work on the Evening Bulletin Momentarily Suspended . 172
Women's Auxiliary, No. 51 180
Famous Providence Printers 188
Early Printing Houses . . . .... 204
PREFACE
To prepare for the proper observance of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the organiza-
tion of Providence Typographical Union, No. 33, a committee of five was appointed at
the December meeting of the Union, 1903. The original committee consisted of William
Carroll, William J. Meegan, William Palmer, George B. Sullivan and John A. Shannon.
Mr. Shannon removed to New York City in a short time, and John J. Horton was ap-
pointed in his place. This was the only change in the personnel of the committee dur-
ing the four years of its existence. At the organization of the committee, William Carroll
was elected Chairman and John A. Shannon, Secretary. William J. Meegan succeeded
Mr. Shannon as Secretary.
The committee was without specific instructions from the Union. At the first
meeting, however, plans were adopted that have been closely followed. It was decided
that the most fitting memorial of the anniversary would be a book, containing as much
as possible about the craft since its establishment in Providence. The work of research
was divided among the members of the committee, and frequent meetings were held, at
which progress was reported. Valuable aid was given by many members of the Union,
by persons whose ancestors had been connected with the craft, and by proprietors of
various printing establishments in which the men were employed. To gain a knowledge
of men and events preceding the organization of the Union in 1857, newspaper files of
that period and the City Directory from 1824 to 1857, were carefully studied. The
records of the Union since its organization, files of the Typographical Journal, and cor-
respondence and consultation with printers scattered in various portions of the United
States and Canada, have furnished information covering the period of the last fifty
years.
The effort to establish an Eight-Hour Day in the craft, with its accompanying heavy
financial burdens, retarded the collecting of the necessary money and delayed the date
of publication beyond the time fixed for celebrating the anniversary. Notwithstanding
the financial difficulties confronting the committee, a decision made at the beginning, to
exclude advertisements from the book, has been adhered to. At the meeting of the
Union last February, it was decided to issue 500 certificates, to be sold for $2.00 each, and
when the amount received from their sale should reach $200, the committee was author-
ized to make a contract for the printing of the book. Later the number of certificates
was increased to 1000. The contract was signed April 26, 1907. At the August meeting
of the Union the committee was authorized to borrow $500 in the name of the Union, to
assist in completing the book. As further aid the proceeds of a one per cent, assessment
were granted at the November meeting.
The committee desires to acknowledge the assistance it has received in its labors
from the Rhode Island Historical Society, the Providence Journal Co., the Typographical
Journal, and all those persons and organizations who have assisted it in any way, and
especially those whose names appear in this book as subscribers.
The unexpected death on November 26, 1907, of Rudolph DeLeeuw, who had been
designated in the resolution creating the committee, its treasurer, occasioned sincere
regret. Mr. DeLeeuw had the honorable distinction of being the longest continuous
member of Providence Typographical Union, No. 33. He had held many important
offices in its gift, the last one that of treasurer, of which office he was relieved, at his
earnest request, at the regular November meeting of the Union, held two days before his
death. He was buried in Hartford, Conn. The Union and the Journal and Bulletin
Chapel were officially represented at his funeral.
CARROi-1-,
CHAIR/^AN.
INTRODUCTION
Gregory Dexter was a stationer and printer in London, England.
He came to Providence as early as 1638. In that year he had a lot of
land assigned to him in this town. On July 27, 1640, he signed an
agreement for a form of government for the town. While he resided
here he continued his connection with the printing office in London.
When Roger Williams went to England in 1643 for a charter for
Providence Plantations he had printed in Gregory Dexter's office in
London his "Key Into the Language of America." A copy of the book
in its original edition is in the collection of the R. I. Historical Society,
and the first volume of that society's publications is a reprint of the book.
Dexter's reputation for skill in his craft is indicated by the fact that
he was summoned in 1646 to Boston, Mass., "to set in order the printing
office there, for which he desired no other reward than that one of their
Almanacks should be sent him every year."
While he was the first printer to live in Providence, there is no
supposition that he worked at printing here. It was not until 1762 that
a printing press was set up in the town by William Goddard. The
population of Providence at that time was about 4000. There was but
one house on Westminster street, and that street was not passable for
carriages above Empire street, being obstructed by a high hill.
Since that time there have been many changes in the printing trade
as well as in the looks of the town. Goddard may have had an assistant
in getting out the first number of the Gazette, but he could have
attended to all the details alone. From the little writing required for
the weekly paper first published, down through the process of clipping
from other newspapers, putting the copy into type, making up the four
small forms, inking the pages with leather balls, putting the damp
paper on the tympan and the impression on the press, and finally
delivering the edition to the subscribers, the whole operation was within
his accomplishments, and perhaps he had time for it all. As the book
and job business increased, specialization followed. The earliest adver-
tisements for journeymen indicate that some printers could not work at
both case and press, and there, probably, was where the first subdivision
came. It must have been found advantageous to keep one man steadily
at work at the press, if there was business enough to warrant it. The
proprietor attended to estimating, did the buying and some of the
mechanical work, and also the editing, if a paper was published and he
was capable. Whatever the duties of an apprentice were before the
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
substitution of the roller for the ink ball, it is certain that with the
adoption of this improvement he was put to manipulating the crank
that controlled the roller, and ever after held that position unchallenged
until the press came into use whose rollers worked automatically.
For the first sixty years of printing in this town, and until radical
improvements in presses began to appear, no important advance in the
manner of conducting the work in printing offices is mentioned.
There is a possibility that the first printing outfit was purchased
from Benjamin Franklin, and also that he was interested in the enter-
prise as a partner. Many printing offices in the Colonies were estab-
lished with his aid. "Franklin would send a printing press and a
certain quantity of type, and take one third of the profits and debts for
his share. His partnerships lasted for six years, and all accounts were
settled quarterly."
Parker's office in New York city, where Goddard learned the trade,
was started in that way. When Goddard abandoned his venture here
and went to New York he did not take his printing materials with him,
although he had use for them there and they were suitable for his
work. In 1767, five years after the starting of the printing office, John
Carter came from Franklin's office in Philadelphia, and became a partner
with Mrs. Goddard. The next year the business came into Carter's
possession. On the other hand, in the obituary of Mrs. Sarah Goddard,
printed in the Gazette in 1770, it was stated that "through her means
her son was instructed in the printing business and settled in a printing
house in the town of Providence, to which place she soon after removed
and became a partner with him in the business."
There is no description in existence of the first press set up here.
Robert Hoe of New York has furnished the committee with a picture of
the Blaew press, so named from improvements made by William Jensen
Blaew of Amsterdam about 1620. This press was used by Franklin
while a workman in London. When he set up in business in Philadel-
phia he bought his press and type in London, and as there was " little
improvement in the printing press until 1798 " it is fair to presume that
he purchased a Blaew and also that a similar press was first used in
Providence.
Robert M. Pearse has described the Ramage press in his story
about the first issue of the Providence Journal. Adam Ramage of
Philadelphia about 1800 made some improvements in construction on a
hand press then in use without patenting them. Hence the name.
A writer in the Pawtucket Gazette and Chronicle, on the occasion
of its 50th anniversary, had this to say about the press that did the work
of that office for about 30 years :
INTRODUCTION
"The old Wells hand press, upon which the paper was printed, and in fact everything
else which was printed in the office, from a visiting card to a poster, was one of the first
iron presses brought into Rhode Island. The Providence Patriot, published by Jones &
Wheeler, was originally printed on this press. It was sold for old iron at half a cent a
pound in 1855."
While the output of printing offices was limited to the capacity of
hand presses, profits were necessarily small and offered little induce-
ment to capital. Goddard gives the cost of the materials in the Gazette
office at the start as £300. A better outfit could be purchased now for
one-third the money. The ambitious apprentice who could procure
backing, at the end of his term of service either bought a share in some
established office or started in business for himself.
THE BLAEW PRESS
(Courtesy of Robert Hoe)
The Journal was printed on an Adams press in 1836. In 1842,
Knowles & Vose, owners of the Journal job office, used a Ruggles,
advertising its accomplishments as follows :
"Ruggles' Patent Job Printing Engine. — One of these machines is now in operation
at the subscriber's office, No. 15 Market Square. It prints any job that may be desired,
from an address card of a single line, to the size of a medium quarto, produces better
work than any hand press, and executes, with the labor of but one person, about 10 or 12
times as rapidly. It reduces the cost on large orders from 25 to 50 per cent."
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
It was worked with a treadle and was the first advance toward the
modern job press. The first Hoe cylinder press used in this city was
brought to the Mirror office.
Steam was used for the first time in 1856, to operate a new single-
cylinder Hoe press in the Journal office. That newspaper has led all its
contemporaries in the introduction of improved machinery except in the
matter of the single and double cylinder and color presses. The Evening
Press used the first double cylinder, and the Evening News was the
pioneer with the color press. The Journal followed its single-cylinder
press with a double in 1862, a four-cylinder rotary in 1871, and a six-
cylinder rotary in 1875. In 1881 the first stereotyping plant in the city
came to the Journal office with a new Hoe web-perfecting press, fol-
lowed by four other presses before it occupied its new building, when
two new sextuple color presses were introduced.
The Journal began to use Merganthaler Linotype machines in
1889, the first paper in New England to have its composition done in
that way, and the fifth office in the world.
The division of work in the Journal office of to-day, with its 250
employes, illustrates the changes from the conditions prevailing in the
first printing office in the town. Five divisions exist in its composing
room, viz : Admen, linotype operators, make-ups, machine tenders and
proofreaders. Different trades prevail in the art, photo-engraving,
stereotyping, mailing, press room and publishing departments, with
subdivisions in some of these. The literary work is subdivided, and
there are more janitors employed than there were employes of all kinds
in the beginning of the paper in 1820.
PROVIDENCE NEWSPAPERS BEFORE 1800
William Goddard opened a book and job printing house in Provi-
dence in 1762, in a building "opposite the Court House." Probably
he began work early in July, as he occupied his first location until about
the first of the following July. Another indication that the time could
not have been much earlier is found in what is said to be the first work
printed in the office, a hand-bill headed "Moro Castle taken by Storm."
The Cuban fortress surrendered on the 30th of July and it took some
time to bring the important news by sailing vessel to this town.
The first number of the Providence Gazette and Country Journal
was issued from this office Oct. 20 of the same year. The Gazette was
a three-column folio, 8 x 14 inches, requiring the setting of about
22,000 ems for the first issue. This amount was lessened thereafter by
about one-quarter, the standing advertisements filling about one of the
pages. Probably four full days of each week were consumed by one
printer on the composition and press work for the paper. An average
operator would set the entire matter for the Gazette on a linotype in
less than four hours. The hand press used in those days could print
about 200 papers an hour. The forms were inked by leather balls and
the paper was fed into the press twice before both sides were printed
One of the two sextuple perfecting presses made by R. Hoe & Co., and
installed in the Journal press room in June, 1905, will print, fold and
count 48,000 twelve-page papers an hour.
An apprentice was advertised for in the Gazette of June 11, 1763.
This would indicate a feeling of stability in the mind of the proprietor,
as the obligations on both sides at that time were more strict than now,
when no written guarantees are given by either party. The age for
beginners has increased slightly, newspapers now preferring boys of
at least 16 years. The wording of the advertisement follows:
" Wanted, as an apprentice to the printing business, an ingenious lad about 13 or 14
years of age, who can read well and write a tolerable hand."
The original indentures of Daniel Bowen, apprenticed to John
Carter in 1774, have been preserved. They were presented by A. J.
Danforth to the Journal, and are now in the composing room of that
paper, carefully pasted between glass and framed. A fac-simile will be
found on another page.
July 9, 1763, the imprint announced a removal " to the store of
Judge Jenckes, near the Great Bridge, and published at his book shop
just above it, at the sign of Shakespeare's Head, at both which places
10
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
This INDENTURE witnefleth,
That
hath put wand by thefc Prefen
and Accord, a/d/vidi the Coafcat of
to learn /^<^, Arjj TraJe,^pr N
fcrve froV:
during the Term of ^ _
next enfuing.'to/ be cornplyt ^^5^£- During M which fiid Tevfr, t':o fuiJ
Apprentke, ~7&f£<' \v.-\ffimf? jfa&f&fc. faithfully fhall ferve, yw_ Seorcis
keep, ^A/ lawful J^Fnmands gladly obey t $£/ fhall do no Damage to fief la;
-iior lee it done by other*, without letting or gi'^i^; Nocico thereof ;
(hall not walle
bid
Ihall not co:r.:T:>
. - - _g^r}n0j;i nor lend them unlawfully to any:
Fornication, or central Matrimony, within t^e laid Teyn. At Carols, D;ce> or any
other unlawful Game,' tyt/ flull not playy^hercby A<* faid ^^^r^^i/ " _
may have Daowge. With /Oy-y-own Goods, or t!ie Goodiof oihers,
ence from n&S, faid t^a*/t*r /& fhall neither ^>uy nor »
fhaJl ncJt abler.t /fttru&uZ. 6y£/j»^or by AT^K^ (ro.rn <St<S-~, (aid-
Service, without-^ fr* Leave ; or haunt Ale-ho'ufes, Tavern's, of
but in all Tjnngs beluvfc A&n/+&--^-i *• good and faithful Apprentice ought to da
and .^U >fey.— __ during the faid Term:
do~75iri__---~hereby protnife to teach and
entice to be taught and inftru&ed, in the Art, Trade, or
but in all Tfcnngs
towards yr.^ fa i
ing of Great-Britain, &c. Ar.n^i\ Deri.
PROVIDENCE NEWSPAPERS BEFORE 1800 11
subscriptions, advertisements and letters of intelligence for this paper
will be thankfully received. All business in the printing way for
gentlemen in this Colony, the Massachusetts Bay and Connecticut will
be correctly, expeditiously and reasonably performed." The price of the
paper was seven shillings per year.
The following advertisement for a printer appeared Dec. 17, 1763 :
" Wanted a journeyman printer, who can work both at case and press. Such a one
will meet with good encouragement from the printer hereof."
There could have been no expectation in the mind of the advertiser
that any idle journeymen were then living in the town. The paper
exchanged with other papers in various towns, and the hope must have
been that some craftsman would see the advertisement and be tempted
to try his fortune in these plantations.
One of the drawbacks to the successs of the newspaper was the
non-payment of subscriptions. The complaints in regard to this began
at the end of the first half year and continued until a better way was
found than that of trusting customers who never paid for their news-
papers. In the Gazette of April 26, 1763, Mr. Goddard requested
payment from those of his patrons who were indebted to him in these
words :
" The great expense of carrying on the Printing Business, obliges the Printer hereof,
to request those persons who have generously favored him with their custom, and are in
arrears for the first half year of this Paper, to pay the same as soon as convenient, that
he may be the better enabled to serve them for the future."
When Mr. Carter had conducted the paper for 20 years he published
the following:
"The Editor to His Readers: In August next [1787] 20 years will have elapsed since
the editor of this Gazette was first concerned in its publication. From some of the sub-
scribers (who still favor him with their custom) nothing has been received during so long
a period, and many others remain indebted from five to 15 years. All in arrears for one
year or more, are earnestly requested to pay. Those who have been several years in-
debted are particularly informed, that unless their accounts are speedily and honorably
closed, their papers must and will be stopt. He reluctantly observes that for some years
passed he has not received from the whole of his subscribers a sufficiency to defray even
the charge of paper whereon the Gazette has been printed, which is but an inconsiderable
part of the constant incidental expense."
At almost the end of his career [Jan. 1, 1814] he wrote :
"War prices being attached to every article made use of in the Printing Business, as
well as to the common necessaries of life, imperiously compels the Editor of the Provi-
dence Gazette (after 48 years laborious attention to the duties of his prof ession ) to call
upon all persons in arrear to him for News-Papers, Advertisements, and other Printing
Work, to make immediate Payment, which will highly oblige him, at this crisis of uncommon
difficulty. The several accounts will be prepared ; and Although small, the aggregate
amount would enable him to pay his Paper Maker, meet the demands of creditors he is
anxious to pay, and obtain for himself and Family the common comforts of life. These
are his objects, and the height of his speculations."
When 134 numbers of the Gazette had been printed [May 11, 1765]
it was suspended temporarily, because of the unsatisfactory financial
returns. It was to be revived six months later " provided the oppressive
12 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
and insupportable stamp duties, with which the colonies are threatened,
should not render it impossible." The job printing business was con-
tinued.
Not until Aug. 9, 1766, when the Stamp Act had been repealed, did
the Gazette begin a permanent existence. The imprint then contained
the information that the paper was in the hands of Sarah Goddard and
Company, and that one-half of the subscription price was to be paid on
receiving the first paper; also, that "provisions, grain of any kind,
tallow, wood, wool and many other articles of country produce" would
be accepted instead of money.
The second number of the paper contained a letter from Mr.
Goddard, dated at New York, July 20, 1766, where he was trying to
establish himself in business. In it he told of his efforts in Providence,
through the Gazette, to promote the cause of liberty. He said also that
he received a
"letter, signed by many of my former readers, and others, urging my return, — the
necessity of their having a public paper, to continue such notices as the Providence
Gazette used to convey in support of public liberty, and the almost certainty of my
meeting with due encouragement.* * * I returned to make trial of their good will. I pub-
lished a newspaper soon after, [Gazette Extraordinary, Aug. 24, 1765,] containing pro-
posals for reviving the^Gazette, in which it was stipulated that in case I obtained 800
subscribers in five weeks time, I would then begin ; but if not, no further trial would be
made till the first Saturday in June, [1766] when it would either begin, or the design be
entirely laid aside.* * * An arduous trial was made, in which I did everything in my power
to insure success, but was not so happy as to meet with it.* * * Under these circumstances,
being again invited by my friends here [New York] to return, bring my printing materials,
and establish myself in a more extensive business, in which I was promised their counte-
nance and support, prudence obliged me to follow their advice — in part. But though I
cannot reasonably expect to make any adequate advantage of my printing materials
(which cost me near £300 sterling) where they are, yet I could not be persuaded to take
them away; rather choosing to leave them for the benefit of my friends where they are,
in the hands of my mother, Mrs. Sarah Goddard, who has engaged to do all she can for
supporting the printing business in Providence.* * * And as I have lately sent her an assistant
[Samuel Inslee] to enable her to carry on the business more extensively, I am convinced
if she meets with real encouragement, she will be able to give satisfaction."
Jan. 10, 1767, Inslee advertised for "one or two journeymen printers,
who can work both at case and press, and are willing to go to the west-
ward." Probably Inslee left about this time, for John Carter came from
Benj. Franklin's office in Philadelphia in August, 1767, and on Sept. 19
became a partner with Mrs. Goddard in the business. One year later
[Nov. 12, 1768] the business came into possession of Carter and so
remained until Feb. 19, 1814, except for the time between Nov. 2, 1793,
and May 9, 1799, when William Wilkinson was Carter's partner.
The changes in the imprint were frequent and now cause some con-
fusion as to the exact place where the paper was printed. At first it
read "opposite the Court House ;" then " near the Court House ;" now,
at the " store of Judge Jenckes, near the Great Bridge, and published at
his book shop, just above it, at the sign of Shakespeare's Head ;" again,
<Joseph Knowles, John Miller ,
J81O-J874. Died 1848
William Jone^ Mi-LLer,
:Sl8 - J&86.
George Whitm.a.n3>amelson .
JS2-9 -«~^
PROVIDENCE NEWSPAPERS BEFORE 1800 13
" near the sign of the Golden Eagle, next door below Knight Dexter's,
Esq.;" " at the sign of Shakespeare's Head, in the same building with
the Post Office ;" " at the Printing Office near the Great Bridge ;" "de-
livered either from the Post Office, near the Court House, or Printing
Office near the Great Bridge ;" " both Post Office and Printing Office
were removed to the house lately occupied by Mr. John Alpin, nearly
opposite to Knight Dexter's, at the sign of the Golden Eagle ;" " at the
sign of Shakespeare's Head, near the Court House, in King street ;"
"the Printing and Post Offices are removed to Meeting street, nearly
opposite the Friends Meeting House." [Now No. 21 Meeting street.]
This last building was used when Carter came into possession. There
were few houses in the town. A building might be opposite another
and still be two or three streets away, or it might be next to another
and half a dozen empty lots intervene. Only an acquaintance with the
layout of the town could straighten the matter.
With the establishment of a printing office came the necessity of
having a paper mill. The industry was started in 1764, but the first
evidence in the Gazette of its existence was an advertisement, June 7,
1767, that John Waterman wanted an apprentice to learn paper making,
at his mill on the Woonasquatucket, in the present Olneyville. Two
years later Waterman added a printing press and types to his business
at the paper mill.
Isaiah Thomas says : " In 1769, he [Waterman] purchased the press
and types which were for many years owned and used by Samuel
Kneeland of Boston." Kneeland died that year. The name of [Ezekiel?]
Russell was associated with Waterman in the printing office. Several
small books were printed there, among them the "New England Primer,"
dated 1775, two copies of which are now in existence, "one in the Lenox
Library, New York, and one in a private library in Hartford, Conn."
Waterman died Feb. 7, 1777, and his successors at the paper mill
abandoned the printing part of the business and devoted their energies
to other lines, including the making and dyeing of cloth.
When the materials used in the Gazette office needed replacing
Carter ordered a new dress of types in England. Before it arrived the
Revolutionary War had started, and when the type reached New York
it was confiscated by the King's custom house authorities. Carter then
purchased the printing materials at the paper mill. This sale occurred
early in 1779.
Solomon Southwick had published the Mercury in Newport up to
the occupation of that town by the British. He then buried his types
and press and sought safety in Providence. Here he found that the
only way in which he could supply himself with materials for carrying
14 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
on his business was through John Carter. He succeeded in inducing
Carter to sell the press and part of the types that the latter had pur-
chased from the Waterman heirs "at the cost price to himself with a
verbal proviso" so Carter says, "that they should not be set up in the
town, or used to oppose a friend in business who had served him in
distress."
Southwick at first started in business in Rehoboth, Mass., but
secured one-half of the Rhode Island State printing and April 1, 1779, in
company with Bennett Wheeler, began to publish The American
Journal and General Advertiser, using the Updike house, next door
to Carter's, for an office. There was much feeling displayed by Carter
at Southwick's alleged treachery. The latter denied having made any
such agreement as claimed by Carter.
Southwick was connected with the Journal only until the December
following, when it came into possession of Bennett Wheeler, who con-
tinued it until Aug. 29, 1781. The last seven months it was issued as a
semi-weekly, Wheeler printing two pages on Wednesday and two pages
on Saturday. This was the first semi-weekly paper printed in the town.
It was also the first paper to be printed on the west side of the river.
The issue of Dec. 2, 1779, contained the following notice :
" The printing office is removed from the house of Capt. John Updike to the store of
Mr. Thomas Jones, next door but one to the sign of General Washington, on the west side
of the Great Bridge."
The Updike house was the one just west of No. 21 Meeting street,
and is still standing.
The Revolutionary War did not excite the newspapers very much,
judging by the brief accounts of important events. The destruction of
the Gaspee was described in 163 words, and from the beginning of the
trouble to the end of the inquiry was referred to but five times by the
editor of the Gazette. About a month after the end of the investigation
an attempt was made to indict Mr. Carter for libel, the first of the kind
in the town. The Gazette of July 3, 1773, tells the story as follows :
" Last week, at the Inferior Court of Common Pleas for the County of Providence, a
bill of indictment was preferred to the Grand Jury against the printer of this paper, for
printing and publishing by request, not ' a false, scandalous and malicious libel,' but a
well-known established truth, which cannot be disproved, viz: that J— n C — e, Esq.,
(a member of the committee of correspondence appointed by the General Assembly) had,
' in a very flagrant manner, shamefully violated and betrayed the faith and confidence
reposed in him by his country, in yielding obedience to a mandate from the commis-
sioners of enquiry, and answering interrogatories before them on oath, thereby fully
acknowledging their jurisdiction, and endeavoring to counteract the laudable design of
the House in appointing the said committee'— and that a motion had been made, at a
meeting of the freemen for the town 'to instruct its Representatives, that in the next
session of Assembly they use their influence to displace the said J — n C — e, Esq., from
being a member of the committee of correspondence.' This very extraordinary attempt
to destroy the liberty of the press became a matter of great expectation, and did not fail
to alarm the Friends of Freedom; their apprehensions, however, soon subsided, the honest
jury having returned the bill ignoramus."
PROVIDENCE NEWSPAPERS BEFORE 1800 15
The story of the battle of Lexington occupied nine inches in the
Gazette with this significant statement from the editor: "Thus has
commenced the American Civil War."
Bunker Hill was told in six and one-half inches. The royal coat of
arms was omitted from the heading of the Gazette May 11, 1776.
The scarcity of material to make paper from was severely felt
during the war. Blue tinted paper was sometimes used, and the size of
the paper reduced one-half. March, 1777, an advertisement announced
that " four coppers per pound will be given for fine linen and cotton
rags, and two coppers for coarse, by John 0. Waterman, at the paper
mills in Providence, and by the printer of the Gazette. A cart from
the paper mills will go through the town of Providence once a month
for the purpose of collecting rags."
The price of the Gazette had risen from 7 to 42 shillings by June,
1778, but the price was not changed in cases where payment was made
in country produce. Aug. 31, 1779, the freemen of the town voted to
fix the price of certain articles, including wages for printers and other
tradesmen, at 20 per cent less than the prevailing rate. Notwith-
standing this attempt the price of the Gazette rose to £6 per quarter in
May, 1780, and in July of the same year $1 per pound was offered
for rags.
An extra was issued Oct. 25, 1781, containing the story of the
capture of Lord Cornwallis, and on Nov. 8, 1781, another extra told of
the surrender of York and Gloucester.
When the Revolutionary War ended, the Gazette procured new
printing materials. The first number issued in January, 1782, was
printed from new types and with a new heading. Mr. Carter added
bookselling to his business in 1783, importing directly from London.
A supplement was issued Dec. 3, 1783, which contained a "scoop"
of the whole newspaper press of the country. In these words the editor
announced the important news :
" By the brig Don Golvez, Capt. Silas Jones, arrived in the river from London, we
have received a copy of the long looked-for Definitive Treaty, which we embrace the
earliest occasion of handing to the public."
This was the treaty of peace between Great Britain and the United
States that officially ended the war.
On the 1st of January, 1784, a rival to the Gazette appeared. The
United States Chronicle, Political, Commercial and Historical, was begun
by Bennett Wheeler, in an office "on the west side of the river." The
Chronicle lived a little more than 20 years, until May 24, 1804. It was
moved five times. Its editor made the first attempt at reporting on
record. He attended the Legislature during the session of 1788 and
reported the proceedings for his paper. There is no evidence that he
16 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
persisted in the business of reporting. His presence was probably more
valuable in his printing office.
The second building erected specially for a printing office was built
for the Chronicle on land now occupied by the National Exchange Bank,
corner Westminster and Exchange streets. The assessed valuation of
the land was $1,100 and it was leased from Jacob Whitman, Jr., who
then kept a store at the " Sign of the Turk's Head." Wheeler announced
his purpose Jan. 28, 1796, as follows :
" The subscriber having it in contemplation to erect a building, for the purpose of
prosecuting the printing, book-binding and book-selling business, upon a more enlarged
scale than heretofore, offers to receive of any of his customers or of any person indebted
to him, ranging-timber, joists, boards, plank, shingles, laths, clapboards, nails, lime, brick,
stone, or mason's and carpenter's work. Those who are indebted, and cannot supply any
of the above articles, will please to furnish a little cash, which will also be wanted."
The building was occupied by the Chronicle Sept. 28, 1796,
Toward the end of its career the Chronicle became the organ of
John Dorrance, an aggressive opponent of Gov. Arthur Fenner, and its
course in that capacity provoked the General Assembly of the State to
take action. At the October session in 1801, the following was adopted
by that body :
" Forasmuch as several publications have of late been made, in a certain newspaper,
printed at Providence by Bennett Wheeler, called the United States Chronicle, slandering
and defaming the Governor, Supreme Court, and other constituted authorities of this
State, one of which publications was subscribed by John Dorrance :
" Resolved, That, in the opinion of this General Assembly, the said publications tend
to discredit this State abroad, and to disquiet the good people of the State, by weakening
public confidence in the constituted authorities thereof.
" Resolved, That, in the opinion of this General Assembly, his Excellency the Governor,
the Supreme Court, and the other constituted authorities of this State, are well entitled to
the public confidence, and have deserved well of their fellow citizens, by a faithful and
meritorious execution of the trusts reposed in them by the people.
" Voted, That the above resolutions be published, for three weeks successively, in all
the newspapers printed in this State."
On the whole Wheeler's conduct of his paper compared favorably
with his contemporaries. There are few portraits in existence of the
printers of those days. The following caricature from the Phoenix of
Sept. 14, 1802, may convey some idea of Wheeler's personality :
" I was, d'ye see ! a Gentleman,
As neat and spruce as any:
Betwixt th' 'Change and Billingsgate Bar,
I caught the eye of many,
With dress so tight,
And head so white,
Small shoes with pointed toe,
I've oft surveyed myself and said,
' Damme, I'm quite a beau.'
When fresh from under Tonsor's hand,
I strutted through the city,
No cauliflower e'er could boast,
A head so great and empty,
With hat in hand,
I'd often stand,
My frizzled pate to show,
And every "lass that saw me pass,
Exclaimed, '0, what a Beau.' "
PROVIDENCE NEWSPAPERS BEFORE 1800 17
Mr. Carter of the Gazette was Postmaster of the town from July,
1772, until June, 1792. In those days letters were sometimes delivered
without payment of postage. After 18 years service, Mr. Carter gave
notice that as "the Postmaster being obliged to settle his accounts
quarterly with the General Post Office, and make payment on the very
day a quarter becomes due, finds it particularly inconvenient to advance
money for discharging the debts of others when he cannot collect his
own," postage of letters in future must be paid on delivery.
November, 1793, Mr. Carter formed a partnership with William
Wilkinson who had succeeded him as Postmaster. Wilkinson was a
bookseller. A building had been erected for the new firm, the first in
the town for a printing office. This building was afterwards known as
the "Old Coffee House." Canal street was then called North Water
street and Market square Market street. The building was at the
corner of North Water and Market streets. The Post Office was re-
moved to the new building. Bookselling, bookbinding and printing
were carried on by the firm of Carter & Wilkinson.
The Gazette was enlarged Jan. 3, 1795, and column rules were used
for the first time. Towards the end of December announcement was
made that the Gazette would be issued semi-weekly, but the plan was
abandoned. The partnership of Carter & Wilkinson expired May 9, 1799.
The printing office was continued by Carter.
The partnership did not end amicably, judging by the complaints
of Carter in the Gazette. Letters and exchanges were missed. Isaiah
Thomas, Deputy Postmaster at Worcester, wrote to Carter on April 26,
1799, as follows :
"It is a fact, that since 1793 I have addressed several letters to you (I think not less
than three) and sent them by mail. In future, I will endeavor to write you by a private
conveyance. But are letters to be stopped by Postmasters with impunity? "
And Carter added to this in the Gazette, that " at a proper time and
place the editor will be ready to testify on oath, that neither of the
letters referred to in the above extract ever came to his hands ; and as
the mails between Worcester and this town had never been robbed on
the road, he has every reason to believe that his letters arrived safe at
the Post Office in Providence."
Two extracts from the Gazette referring to'the disagreements of
the recent partners will show Carter's style when he intended to be
satirical :
" To be let, and entered on the 5th of July next (the present ground lease expiring on
the 4th of that month.) The first floor of a large and commodious three-story building,
40 -by 21 feet, in the center of the Town of Providence, originally erected in 1793 for the
purpose of furnishing sentimental repasts ; but which, perhaps from a mutability peculiar
to this strange world of ours, has been for some time transformed, as if by art magic,
into — a corn and meal store ! an ironmonger's shop ! a cotton factory ! &c. &c. &c.
18 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
"Also to let, a large and commodious cellar, very handy for storing nail-rods bound,
if not lettered— iron in sheets— oysters, open or shut— cider — beef— pork, and such like
miscellaneous and heterogeneous works, and raw materials.
"One quarter's rent to be paid constantly in advance (a condition of the ground lease)
that the proprietor of the building may save a little, in case the tenant should prove to be
a professor of hocus pocus or legerdemain — or should finesse, make over his property in
trust, and prepare for washing to fouler stains, in the laver of an act provided for the
relief only of honest men. An advance would also be proper from another consideration :
Disputes might arise, in which case the tenant could propose submitting matters and
things to referees, and require sixteen months to manufacture tragicomic accounts for
their inspection and amusement !
" For terms, please to enquire on the second floor of said building, situated very near
the east end of the 'Great and general' bridge, or — (if not out of the way) at the NEW
COTTON WORKS in Pawtucket.
" Providence, June 28, A. D. 1800, 24th year of American Independence, and of the
compass and square 5800."
In January, 1802, the last reference to the trouble was made, as
follows :
"Book-keeping Improved. — We learn that a celebrated accountant, who has long paid
great attention to the subject, and made deep researches in the business of pounds,
shillings and pence, is about to favor the world with the result of his labors, by publishing
a method of book-keeping on a plan entirely new, which comprises some discoveries in
that line highly interesting to every man of business, being an improvement on all other
systems of bookkeeping. It proceeds neither by single nor double entry, but in a variety
of cases requires no entry whatever. As for cash-book, sale-book, journal, invoice-book,
and such like lumber, they are on this improved plan rendered totally unnecessary,
whereby a very considerable saving will be made in bank-books, quills, ink, clerks'
wages, &c. It is admirably adapted to co-partnership concerns, as after the dissolution of
the firm, not more than seven years will be required to settle accounts between the
co-partners.
" The ingenious projector (William Swindle, Esq., Master of Arts, and Prof essor of
Legerdemain) it is said, proposes not only securing the copy-right in the usual way, but
intends also an application to Congress for a patent."
The State Gazette and Town and Country Advertiser, a semi-weekly
paper, was started Jan. 4, 1796, by Joseph Fry. It lived less than a year.
Fry was a partner with Henry C. Southwick in a printing office in
Albany, N. Y., in 1798. In 1813 he compiled and published the first
Directory for that city. Southwick was a son of Solomon Southwick.
John Carter, Jr., established the Providence Journal and Town and
Country Advertiser, Jan. 3, 1799, issuing the paper on Wednesdays from
"the new printing office, west side of the great bridge." The father
was printing the Gazette on Saturdays and the son the Journal on
Wednesdays, practically a semi-weekly. The Journal was a little larger
than the other papers, and printed the laws of the United States, using
one-half its space for this purpose. By separating the half sheets of
the laws from the other half sheets of the paper, each subscriber
received a complete copy of the laws of the United States in a form to
be folded in a pamphlet unmixed with any other matter. This was by
instruction of the Secretary of State. The Journal lived just three years.
The Impartial Observer was issued by Benoni Williams in January,
1801, from No. 3 Market House Chamber. There were few advertise-
ments in the paper. The body type used was sometimes as large as 24
PROVIDENCE NEWSPAPERS BEFORE 1800 19
point. It was opposed to the Federalists. Oct. 10, 1801, Williams issued
the following :
" I want money ! and money I must have — and money I will have, (if I can get it.)
I must pay for paper — I must have ink — they must have wages — and house rent they
think. The party feds are so mad they will not suffer those who fear them to take the
Impartial Observer. Four and six pence is easily paid. Therefore I shall expect that
each one indebted for the paper will bring or send it to me without delay, and receive
my thanks."
The paper stopped March 6, 1802.
Distributing newspapers has always been an important part of the
business. Carriers were used in the town from the beginning. News-
papers carried in the United States mails were by act of Congress, for
establishing the Post-Office and Post-Roads, subjected to a postage of
one cent each for any distance not exceeding 100 miles, and 1 1-2 cents
for any greater distance. This law went into effect June 1, 1792.
Printers were required to dry their papers and to wrap them in strong
covers. All paper was subjected to a wetting in those days before
being printed.
The following advertisement of the post rider from Providence to
Connecticut is taken from the Gazette of April 2, 1803 :
"PAY THE POST, THAT HE MAY PAY THE PRINTER.
"I who have been TWO YEARS at most
(Strange as't may seem) a RIDING POST
And worn my poor old DOBBIN'S shoes out
With riding hard, to bring the news out,
And made wry faces at the storm,
While yet the news was moist and warm,
That you might read, before the fire,
Of battles fought, and sieges dire,
What politician now is vext,
Who's dead, and who is married next,
And such like entertaining story,
Which I have always laid before ye —
Solicit, my friends, the amount
Of what is due ON OLD ACCOUNT.
ALBE STONE."
The price of the Gazette was raised to $2 per annum in May, 1805.
In 1808 it claimed to have a circulation of 1300. The dollar sign ($)
was first used in the paper May 20, 1809. The building erected for the
paper and so long occupied by it was sold at auction Sept. 7, 1811, and
on May 30, 1812, the imprint read " Removed to the building at the
southeast corner of the Market House, directly opposite the street
leading to Brown University."
Feb. 19, 1814, the business came into possession of Hugh H. Brown
and William H. Wilson. Both of the new owners had learned printing
with Carter, who had conducted the business 45 years. He died on
Aug. 20, 1815, and was buried in St. John's churchyard, on North Main
street, where a monument, erected by his daughter, marks his grave.
20 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
Wilson was publisher of the Gazette for the week ending June 15,
1816. The next week Brown was the publisher and continued in that
relation until Jan. 3, 1820, when Walter R. Danforth, who had married
Elizabeth, daughter of John Carter, became a partner and editor. A new
hand press was added and also new types. The Gazette at last became
a semi- weekly at $3 per annum. Danforth retired on the 1st of January,
1825, and was succeeded by Albert G. Greene as editor, with Brown
owner of the plant. The following October announcement was made
of the union of the Gazette and American, and the issue of the 8th of
that month was the last, within two weeks of 63 years after the first
one was printed. Brown retained the book and job printing materials
and conducted that portion of the business until his death in 1863.
The Directory, started in 1824, was printed there; also the Rhode Island
Register and occasionally the City Tax List. But it never progressed
beyond the hand press stage.
Alexander M. Robertson worked in the office getting out the Tax
Book for 1857, and has furnished the following as his recollections of
the man and the establishment :
" Brown was a rather short, thickset man, who had grown exceedingly nervous in his long
connection with the printing business. The office was in the attic story of an old building
at the southwest corner of South Main and College streets. It was a dusty old place and
its press facilities were limited to a hand press. There were no regular employes, Brown
doing all the routine work himself. When the Tax List or Directory was to be printed
special compositors were hired, and the press work was done at A. Crawford Greene's.
"A story was often related about Brown going up to a press on which was being
printed one of the forms, and exclaiming to the pressman :
" ' Here, here, stop ! You are working my form without p'ints ! '
"In times gone by, both on hand presses and on the first Hoe book presses, 'points'
were thought indispensable for getting a correct backing or register when the sheets were
turned and run through the press a second time."
At Brown's death in 1863 the materials went to the junk shop.
Probably the original press brought here by Goddard in 1762 was in-
cluded in the dump.
[forth. «,,.}
PROVIDENCE ^A|Bjr^; <3.AZETTEJ
COUNTRY
PROVIDENCE GAZETTE
A N0
COUNTRY JOURNAL:
Captaining the frcftu:.ft ADVICES, Foreign and Domeftic.
UNITED STATES
CHRONICLE:
Political, Commercial, and HiftoricaJ.
AMERICAN
THE MICROCOSH1
DEMOCRATIC NEWSPAPERS
IN PROVIDENCE
The Providence Phoenix was begun May 11, 1802, to help the
organization of the Democratic-Republican party, under the leader-
ship of Thomas Jefferson, then President of the United States, and
further the political interests of Hon. Theodore Foster, whose term as
United States Senator from Rhode Island was about to expire. From
its starting until the spring of 1873 that party was never without an
organ in Providence. In the period from the beginning of the century
until the Civil War the Democratic pa'rty was in control of the public
patronage in Washington 48 years and the electoral votes of Rhode
Island were cast for the candidates of that party five times. Of the
Providence men who were financially interested in these Democratic
papers, Bennett H. Wheeler and Welcome B. Sayles became Postmasters,
Gideon Bradford, Collector of the Port, and William Jones Miller, Col-
lector of the Ports of Warren and Bristol.
The imprint on the first Phoenix read : " Printed by William W.
Dunham for T. A. Foster and W. W. Dunham, at their printing office
nearly opposite the Hon. Theodore Foster's house, Westminster street."
The Theodore Foster residence stood at what is now the northeast
corner of Westminster and Eddy streets, where the Journal Building is
located. Theodore Foster was one of the first United States Senators
from Rhode Island, serving from 1790 to 1803.
The type used on the Phoenix was not new. Dunham was the
practical printer of the concern. The price of the paper was $1.50
per annum.
In October the Phoenix was moved to Market square, and for the
first five months of 1803 Samuel J. Williams was the printer. Then
Dunham again took up the work and continued it until July, 1804, when
William Olney bought the business. Olney purchased new type and
enlarged the paper. One paragraph of his address to the patrons of the
paper follows :
"As his education or 'patriotism was not imbibed in the schools or the jails of England
or Ireland,' nor learnt from British or Irish instructors, he professes not to be swayed by
British, Irish or French politics; he will therefore endeavor to introduce into his paper,
those principles and politics which shall be truly American."
Olney raised the price of the paper to $2 per annum and made it
the largest and best looking paper in the town, but death cut his career
short on Jan. 10, 1807, at the age of 24.
22 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
Josiah Jones and Bennett H. Wheeler then became its publishers.
In a few weeks the name was changed to The Phenix. The next
January another change in name made it The Columbian Phenix and
two years later the words " or Providence Patriot " were added. From
Jan. 15, 1814, to the end of its existence, Dec. 29, 1832, it was known as
Providence Patriot Columbian Phenix. It was issued semi- weekly from
Jan. 2, 1819, until about six months before its end. During the year
1819 Barzillai Cranston was in the firm with Jones & Wheeler.
Under the editorial guidance of Wheeler the paper was fiercely
aggressive, and so popular with the townspeople that in 1820 the
Gazette made this complaint :
" The Patriot has the largest circulation and their advertising patronage is the largest,
notwithstanding it is a Democratic paper and the town is Federal."
Imagine a paper of to-day making such an admission with regard
to its business.
Wheeler was appointed Postmaster in June, 1823. The next May,
Eaton W. Maxcy, just out of his apprenticeship, acquired an interest,
which he retained for one year. William Simons succeeded Maxcy in
the partnership, retaining the connection about four years. He then
went to the Republican Herald, which his son had purchased from John
S. Greene. The Patriot languished after the departure of Simons.
J. 0. Rockwell was its editor for the first five months of 1831. He died
in June of that year. Josiah Jones retired at the end of 1832, and
although Cornelius, his son, proposed to continue the paper, that was
probably the end.
The message of President Jefferson, delivered Oct. 27, 1807, reached
Providence four days later, and was the occasion of an "extra" from
the Phenix office. The last stage of the journey, from New York to
Providence, was made by water. The first-class steamers of to-day
make the passage in about 12 hours. Here is the time made on that
occasion :
" By the fast sailing packet Juno, Capt. Comstock, in the remarkably short passage of
only 19 hours from New York, the editors of the Phenix were favored with a copy of the
highly interesting State paper."
The Republican Herald made its first appearance July 1, 1828, as a
weekly. Its office was located at No. 7 North Main street and John S.
Greene was its publisher. A year later William Simons, Jr., bought the
paper and the elder Simons became its editor, retaining that position
until his death, which occurred at Baltimore, Md., March 6, 1845, while
returning from a visit to Richmond, Va. The son died three years later.
Aaron Simons, another son, probably conducted the paper until it was
united with the Weekly Post in 1853, although his name was not in
the imprint.
DEMOCRATIC NEWSPAPERS, IN PROVIDENCE 23
The Herald was issued as a semi-weekly Jan. 7, 1832, and a man-
power press was used in November, 1842.
Col. Simons and his three sons, William, Aaron and Edward T., all
printers, were a notable family. From the editorial room of the
Herald the democracy of the State was dispensed. There met with the
editor James Fenner, candidate for Governor 18 times and successful 13
times, and his lieutenants, Dexter Randall and Jonas Titus, constituting
the " Big Four." Nearly every issue of the Herald contained an attack
on the opposition paper, generally of a witty turn, or an acknowledg-
ment of some courtesy from it in the way of loaning matter or materials,
which the Herald could not have obtained from any other source.
Occasionally the Journal people would threaten to refuse such favors,
but the point of absolute refusal never seems to have been reached.
The suffrage issues of 1840-43 were handled gingerly by the Herald.
To satisfy the Dorrites a weekly paper, the New Age, and a daily, the
Express, came into existence. After the excitement was over, the
Herald explained that it had the choice of silence or the destruction of
its plant, and it chose the former alternative.
When Dorr returned to Providence in 1843, he went to the residence
of Col. Simons, then opposite the City Hotel, on Weybosset street, and
was arrested there Nov. 1.
The Providence Daily Gazette was started April 20, 1844, by Joseph
M. Church, at 11 College street. The printing was done at the office of
William Jones Miller. Its politics were neutral at the beginning, but it
soon developed into a strong supporter of the Democratic party. The
publication office was moved to the Granite building Nov. 16, 1844, and
early in the following March a weekly paper was issued, The Demo-
cratic Republican. At that time the daily claimed the largest circulation
in the State and was an interesting evening paper. When ex-President
Andrew Jackson died it took nine days to transmit the news of the
event to Providence. Miller ceased to do the printing in June, 1845,
and was succeeded by J. Howell Wilson. Publication was suspended
Nov. 7, 1846.
William Jones Miller, a practical printer, had been connected with
the publication of the Dorrite Express in 1842-3 and the Daily Gazette
in 1844-5. March 18, 1850, in company with Welcome B. Sayles, then
Postmaster, he started the Providence Daily Post, at No. 15 Market
square. Clement Webster was editor. The Weekly Post was issued
from the same office. Webster's name disappeared from the editorial
column in February, 1852. On the 1st of January, 1853, the Republican
Herald and Weekly Post were consolidated and Aaron Simons was
admitted to the partnership. For about a year from Nov. 6, 1854,
24 PRINTERS AND .PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
Edwin Metcalf s name was carried at the head of the editorial column.
Sayles retired May 6, 1858, Gideon Bradford, Collector of the Port,
buying his interest. In March, 1859, the columns were lengthened two
inches, and in September, 1860, a column was added to each page. A
new dress of type and a cylinder press enlarged the capacity of the
office. But the outbreak of the Civil War the next year, and possibly
the unpopularity of the politics of the Post, caused the paper to shrink
to its old size on July 1, and early in January, 1862, the property passed
to Alfred Anthony, who had some money to lose. Only Miller and
Simons's names were signed to the transfer. The Post now resumed
its largest size, but the increased cost of white paper caused a shrinkage
again after an experience of one year and five months. Anthony
continued its publisher until Sept. 7, 1866, when Albert S. Gallup, a
cotton broker, tried his luck as publisher. After a six months expe-
rience he offered the plant for sale to the Democratic politicians of the
State, with the understanding that if it was not sold by May 1st, 1867,
the newspapers would be discontinued. Thomas Steere had written
the editorials for the Post since 1864.
The politicians either had no money or no pressing use for the
papers and they were stopped May 11.
Albert A. Scott had been foreman of the composing room. In
company with Noah D. Payne, a broker, he began the publication of
The Morning Herald, May 20, 1867, using the equipment of the defunct
Post. The paper was enlarged, and the weekly Herald was continued.
Scott retired in September, 1868, going to New York, where he worked
as a journeyman for years on the Sun. Payne continued the publication
until the end, which came May 21, 1873. The A. & W. Sprague Co. had
controlled the Herald, and the approaching troubles of that firm hastened
the paper's collapse. In December, 1871, the editorial, composing and
press roooms were removed to the Crabb building, junction Dyer and
Peck streets.
James A. Miller, George W. Danielson, Seabury S. Tompkins, Albert
A. Scott, George W. Barry, Edward B. Rose and Edward A. Carter were
at diffierent times foremen of the Post and Herald.
Payne established a large job printing establishment after the
demise of the Herald, now known as the Marion Printing Co.
After the death of the Morning Herald in the spring of 1873, the
city was without a Democratic paper until December, 1875. From the
fifth of that month The Sun was issued weekly from No. 5 Washington
row by Mann & Mellor, (Henry Mann and J. H. Mellor.) Mann had
married a Rhode Island woman and had become interested in the State.
He came from the New York Sun, at that time the leading Democratic
DEMOCRATIC NEWSPAPERS IN PROVIDENCE 25
paper of the country. A daily Sun was announced for Nov. 20, 1876.
It was then thought by many that Samuel J. Tilden might be the
next President of the United States. The Daily Sun did not survive
the verdict of the Electoral Commission, which declared R. B. Hayes
elected to the Presidency. Lester E. Ross was the publisher after
Dec. 4, 1876.
There was another break in the chain of Democratic papers from the
demise of The Sun until June 14, 1879, when Albion N. Merchant, who
had come from Vermont, began to publish The Rhode Island Democrat
from the Brownell Building, 91 Westminster street. Merchant died
suddenly on May 15, 1884, and the Democrat came into the possession
of Schofield & Trumpler (John H. Schofield and Peter J. Trumpler.)
Trumpler withdrew at the end of the year. Schofield remained with
the paper until Sept. 27, 1889. Two years later Eldora J. Schofield sold
it to the Rhode Islander Publishing Co., of which Benj. F. Evans was
manager. The office had been removed four times since the death of
Merchant. In March, 1892, Evans sold the paper to the proprietors of
the Newport Herald, and it was removed to that city and became the
weekly edition of the Herald.
The Telegram was started as a Sunday paper in 1876 by Charles C.
Corbett, who had been a policeman in this city and had made a success
as a writer on the Sunday Dispatch. In 1879 an evening edition was
added. A year later David 0. Black, who had successfully managed the
Providence Opera House, became a partner of Corbett's. At this time
the printing office was at 57 Weybosset street, next to the Arcade, and
the business office at No. 1 Weybosset street. June 21, 1881, Black
became sole proprietor. The following June the printing office was
moved to 49 Peck street. September, 1884, it was again moved to corner
Peck and Friendship streets.
The size, politics and color of the Telegram about this time varied
according to the demands of a policy that announced agreement with
the popular will. Where now pages are added to the size of newspapers
to meet the demands of news and advertisers; in 1883 columns were
added in that office. Pink paper was often used instead of white. The
Telegram's politics were undoubtedly independent. The labor sentiment
of the State was at its height and the Telegram did much to aid its
progress. The 1883 reorganization meeting of Providence Typographical
Union was held in its composing room, and it had the first real printers'
chapel in the city.
The three years between 1886 and 1889, while F. A. Crandall was
its editor, were marked. by an editorial influence unequalled in the
paper's history, and an improved typographical appearance. Crandall
26 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
came to this city from Buffalo, N. Y., where he had risen from the ranks
of the compositors.
After nine years control of the Telegram David 0. Black sold his
interest to the Telegram Publishing Co., Sept. 29, 1889. The Telegram
was to become a Democratic organ, and David F. Lingane took the
helm, which he held until Feb. 13, 1906. The business office had been
at 7 Weybosset street. April 21, 1892, the whole plant was installed in
the Barton Block, the former home of the Journal. On that date the
Telegram contained an historical sketch of its career.
The plant was moved to the Francis building, 138-144 Westminster
street, next west of the Arcade, on the evening of Saturday, Dec. 9,
1899. The Weekly Telegram was begun Jan. 30, 1899 at 50 cents per
annum.
In February, 1906, Lingane sold the Telegram to a group of news-
paper men from the Journal, who continued the name in connection
with that of the Tribune for a while, but changed the politics of the
paper to Republican.
William H. Barbour, James H. Russell, Andrew F. Moran, Charles
W. Oberton, Arthur C. Bierce, Charles M. Clark and Harry E. Gatrell
were foremen of the Telegram before the change of management in
February, 1906.
RHODE ISLAND AMERICAN
The American was started as a semi- weekly by Dunham & Hawkins
(William W. Dunham and David Hawkins, Jr.,) Oct. 21, 1808, at the
sign of the American Eagle, opposite the Market; $3 per annum.
In May, 1812, Hawkins was sole publisher, and in October, 1813, it
was published by Miller & Mann, (John Miller and William M. Mann.)
Miller afterwards started the Journal, and Mann is believed to have
made the first heading for the Journal. With this change in ownership
the office was removed to the "Old Coffee House." In April, 1814,
William G. Goddard, son of the original printer of the town, entered the
partnership. Goddard edited the paper for ten years, and was well
equipped for the work. Under his direction the American took high
rank for excellence and character. In January, 1815, Miller withdrew,
and from April, 1817, until July, 1819, Goddard was sole publisher.
Then he took his foreman, James D. Knowles, into the firm. This
arrangement lasted until October, 1820, when Goddard again became
sole publisher and continued as such until he bade good-bye to his
readers, Oct. 7, 1825.
The American was then consolidated with the Gazette and published
by Carlile & Brown (Francis Y. Carlile and H. H. Brown.) The office
was removed, " together with Brown's job printing office, recently kept
at No. 3 South Main street" to No. 4 Union buildings. About 18 months
later the partnership was dissolved, Brown taking the job printing
materials and Carlile the newspaper. B. F. Hallett, who had been
editor of the Journal up to the day before, become editor of the American
and Gazette April 3, 1827, and on Aug. 31, The Microcosm, which had
been published by W. R. Danforth as a weekly since June 10, 1825, was
purchased. It was to continue as a weekly, made up with the principal
articles published in the American and Gazette. F. H. Manson bought
an interest and became superintendent of the mechanical department.
The circulation of the American and Gazette was said to be 1200,
but the editor was candid enough to say, in reply to an article in the
Journal, that "it is idle to boast about advertising patronage, where
none of us but barely get a living with all our patronage."
The Literary Cadet and Saturday Evening Bulletin was issued as a
weekly on April 22, 1826, by Smith & Parmenter (S. J. Smith and John
28 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
C. Parmenter) from 9 Market square at $2 per annum. One year later
it was made a semi-weekly, and July 21, 1829, it was united with the
American. Daniel Mowry, 3d., had become part owner with F. Y. Carlile
of the united establishments and the name of the paper was changed to
the Rhode Island American, Statesman and Providence Gazette. B. F.
Hallett continued as editor, and the printing was done by F. Y. Carlile
and J. C. Parmenter.
Walter R. Danforth started a weekly paper, The Microcosm, June
10, 1825, and continued it until Aug. 31, 1827, when he sold it to the
proprietors of the American and Gazette.
From this office the first daily newspaper printed in this city, the
Providence Daily Advertiser, was issued July 20, 1829, one day before
the Daily Journal appeared. The proprietor of the latter paper had not
intended to start a daily at that time, but was forced into the enterprise
by the appearance of the Advertiser. Carlile ceased to have any con-
nection with the office the following November. B. H. Wheeler was
removed from the office of Postmaster in July, 1831. About that time
a partnership must have existed between B. H. Wheeler, Joseph Knowles
and D. Mowry, 3d, as the following notice, signed by the three, was
printed May 9, 1832:
" The connection between B. H. Wheeler and Joseph Knowles, in the printing business
and publication of the Daily Advertiser, and Chronicle and American, is dissolved and the
establishments revert back and will be continued by Daniel Mowry, 3d, the said Wheeler
having withdrawn under an arrangement with said Mowry and Knowles, satisfactory to
the parties."
Plans for deliberate suicide were perfected and announced in the
following notice, Jan. 15, 1833 :
" The patrons of the Daily Advertiser, and American and Gazette, are hereby informed
that these papers will be discontinued on the 1st day of February, 1833. The patrons
may enquire what are the reasons for this sudden change? The answer is, I have hinted
that a Methodist clergyman is suspected of having committed an atrocious murder in
Tiverton, in this State, and have displeased that church ; and these papers I intend shall
give the whole history of that most foul transaction, without fear or favor, and the
subscription list then, in my opinion, will be of no value.
"The Microcosm and Weekly American not being concerned in the sin of exposing
this foul murder, will be continued with unabated energy, and will be forwarded to all
subscribers of the Rhode Island American after the first of February.
" Whilst managing these papers, as a printer, I have endeavored to go by the rule I
followed whilst tilling the ground— that is, to deal justly in all business transactions, live
soberly and work early and late. I have made no new debts since I have been a printer,
that are unpaid, to my knowledge; if there are any, I am ready to settle them. The labor
and paper I have always paid for weekly. I have, therefore, a clear conscience, a stout
heart, and some money in my pocket.
"DANIEL MOWRY, 3d."
The name of the minister accused of the murder referred to was
Avery.
The Advertiser was discontinued, and the Microcosm, American and
Gazette were continued as late as July 27, 1833, by James S. Ham & Co.
V *!*— *""^^^ -••.fr v^«» , ^^^, | •«*-•;
f .^^i%^l]-| 13
THE PROVIDENCE JOURNAL
A semi-weekly paper was issued from the printing office of Miller
& Hutchens, in the " Old Coffee House," on Jan. 3, 1820. Its name was
the Manufacturers and Farmers Journal and Providence and Pawtucket
Advertiser. Miller had been concerned with the publication of The
American in the years 1813-14, and had conducted a job office in the
meantime. Hutchens was a bookseller. The new paper was intended
to be neutral in politics, but to strongly advocate the protection of
American industries. Among its backers were the leading manufac-
turers of the State, including Samuel and John Slater, David Wilkinson,
Timothy Green, Benjamin Aborn, George Jackson, Amasa and William
H. Mason, James Burrill, William Anthony, Samuel Arnold, William
Valentine, Richard Anthony, Joseph Harris, Richard Jackson, Nathan
W. Jackson, William Sprague and his two sons, Amasa and William,
and James, Christopher and William Rhodes. These names are men-
tioned by William E. Richmond, the first editor of the Journal, in a
letter written for the 50th anniversary number of that paper. Con-
sidering the small sum of money required to supply such a plant as the
Journal then needed and the deficiency in running expenses possible,
when even the editor was not to receive a salary, it is conceivable that
the cash support of these leading manufacturers of the State was not
very extensive. In all the subsequent changes in ownership there is no
evidence that any of them owned a dollar's worth of property in the
enterprise.
Mr. Richmond also describes in his letter the condition of the news-
paper business at that time. He says :
"There was no systematic and well-managed journalism. A printer and publisher,
for the purpose of extending his business, put forth proposals and issued a subscription
for a new paper. If the number of subscribers were, in his opinion, sufficient to pay the
expense, he engaged a person to edit and supervise the paper. At that time literary labor of
this description was so meanly compensated, that no lawyer, physician, or schoolmaster
would undertake the business for merely the monetary remuneration. In the case of the
first editor of the Journal, there was no demand or stipulation for pay. That person saw
the necesssity of a sacrifice by some one for the advancement of great public interests,
and he consented to a temporary supervision of the Journal.* * * It was almost exclusively
in the night season that the Journal was edited, as a relaxation from the daily labors of
another profession; and it was understood from the beginning, that so soon as the Journal
could be considered as securely established, another editor should be procured. At the
end of the first year the name of the editor was omitted from the imprint, in consequence
of the increase of professional business, but he continued for several years thereafter an
informal oversight of, and contribution to its columns, for which, and for all previous
labors, he received the sum of $500."
30 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
Deacon Robert M. Pearse was apprenticed to the printing firm of
Miller & Hutchens in 1819, and set some of the type for the first number
of the Journal. This is his story, somewhat abbreviated, printed in the
Journal June 24, 1886:
"The foreman of the office was Samuel Avery, a Boston printer. Four compositors
were required to set the type for the Journal when it was first issued. The pay of a
journeyman at that time was $8 per week. The hours of work were from sunrise to
sunset, and as early as they could see to pick up the type in the winter, with a brief lay-off
for supper, and then back to their cases or their presses until 9 o'clock, when the First
Baptist bell would warn them that the time had come to quit.
"The press used to print the Journal on was of the 'Ramage' pattern, with a platen
of wood and a bed of stone, which required two pulls at the lever to each full impression ;
or, rather, the form was run half way in, an impression pulled, then run clear in and an-
other impression pulled, (very much the same sort of a press as was used by Franklin.)
The lever worked a screw, there being no spring to lift up the platen after the impression,
except what was given by some bookbinders 'scaleboards' placed in the top of the frame ;
consequently the lever had to be pulled around and then literally pushed back. The ink
was put on by the old-fashioned ink-balls, and 200 impressions per hour were considered
fast work. Later a second press of the same make but of a larger size and with an iron
bed, instead of one of stone, was used. In 1823 the office was moved into the Union
building, and then an iron press was procured of the Wells make for printing the Journal,
the first iron press in the city. About this time the ink-balls were laid aside for a large
roller, made of blankets and covered with buckskin, which was laid on two smaller wooden
rollers or cylinders, fixed in a frame behind the press and turned by a crank. The
apprentice had the manipulation of the rollers, keeping the crank twirling that the ink
might be evenly distributed, pushing the large roller over the form after each sheet was
printed, and putting on ink in obedience to the orders of the pressman, who sang out
'right!' 'left!' or 'centre!' as he wished more color on either of those places.
"The cut for the heading of the Journal, which contained, besides the name, an eagle
bearing in his beak the legend, 'Encourage National Industry,' and representations of
farming tools and farm products, mechanical implements, an anchor, &c., was made in
the office. The plate was cast by a workman named Mann [probably William M.] from
old type, in a wooden mould, then planed down to the required height, and then engraved
by an engraver named Morton. The paper went to press Sunday and Wednesday nights
at or about midnight. The first edition was about 250 copies."
Hutchens withdrew from the partnership Aug. 7, 1823, and the
office was moved to the Union building on the west side of the bridge.
It was again moved Nov. 29, 1824, to the Granite building, corner North
Main street and Market square. Sept. 1, 1825, the Independent Inquirer
was absorbed, and under the name of the Rhode Island Country Journal
and Independent Inquirer was issued as a weekly until Oct. 8, 1897,
when it was discontinued. Fire destroyed a large portion of the plant
on March 30, 1827.
No important change was made in the typographical appearance of
the Journal during the first nine years of its existence. There had been
a number of semi-weekly papers printed in the town. Three of them
were consolidated and their manager then felt strong enough to venture
a daily. The circumstances attending its publication and that of the
starting of its rival, the Journal, are told in an editorial, probably written
by Miller, and printed in the Journal at the time, as follows:
"More than a year since we contemplated issuing a daily paper, but abandoned the
project from the belief that it would much injure the semi-Weekly papers as to compel
them also to come out daily.
THE PROVIDENCE JOURNAL 31
"At this time we have been compelled in our own defence to publish a daily Journal.
Had not the union of the American and Statesman produced a daily paper, we should have
willingly remained as we were.
"On Friday last [July 17, 1829,] we called on the proprietors, publishers and editor
of the American and Statesman with a view of ascertaining if it was their determination
to issue a daily paper, and informed them if they did, we should be compelled to. From
what the editor said, we concluded to issue a daily the next morning; but being informed
subsequently by one of the publishers that they had not agreed to publish a daily paper,
and that we should have seasonable notice if they did so agree, we changed our determi-
nation, under the hope that we might not be driven to the measure.
"On Monday morning [July 20, 1829,] after the Journal was out, we were informed
that the American and Statesman was to come out a daily the next morning, and that the
proprietors were then by themselves and their agents engaged procuring subscribers.
We immediately determined, in self-defence, to publish the Journal daily, and gave notice
accordingly to our friends and the public. Upon the receipt of our notice, which was
long before the Daily Advertiser was put to press, it was determined to issue that paper
on Monday [July 20] as in anticipation of Tuesday. This was, as we believe, in conse-
quence of our notice and against their previous determination.
"We find no fault with the publishers or editor of the Daily Advertiser, and publish
this statement only to counteract the insinuation that the Daily Journal was got up to
injure another establishment."
Evidently Miller did not consider a daily newspaper necessary at
that time, but the birth of the Daily Advertiser forced him to follow it
one day later with the Daily Journal, and the increased expense prob-
ably led to his forced withdrawal from the concern seven years later,
and the loss of his entire interest in the newspapers and book and job
business.
On the first of May, 1833, the office was moved to College street
and George Paine became a partner. Fourteen months later Knowles
& Burroughs did the printing at their office, showing the loss of the
plant from which the papers had been issued and the increasing financial
difficulties of Miller ; and on Feb. 23, 1836, George W. Jackson became
publisher. Dec. 18, 1837, Miller published a warning to the public not
to purchase the property of the Journal, then in the possession of George
W. Jackson, without the consent of John Miller, but one year later
Jackson disposed of the entire plant to Knowles & Burroughs for $2500.
An Adams press had been used to print the papers since 1836. Miller
left the city not to return until his death in 1848.
Both of the new owners were practical printers and of extensive
experience. Up to that time the news from the South and West had
been clipped from the New York papers and printed in the Journal 24
hours after their arrival in Providence. W. H. Burroughs, son of
William L. Burroughs, in a letter dated June 15, 1904, tells of an im-
provement in news service that his father accomplished while connected
with the Journal, as follows:
"When interested as part owner in Journal, he had also a printing office at 113 Fulton
street, New York, afterwards sold to Wynkoop, Hallenback & Thomas. I am informed
that in the days before telegraphs, he set up one side of the Journal in New York and sent
forms to Providence by Stonington boat. New York being a news centre, that side of the
paper could be filled with news during the day and reach Providence in type as soon as
the news itself could be received."
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
What was really done is slightly different. The type was set in
New York city and put into the forms here, after its journey by boat
and railroad. Burroughs continued with the paper seven months and
then John W. Vose purchased his interest. Seventeen months later
Henry B. Anthony bought a third interest, and the Journal secured a
writer who was destined to guide it to popularity and financial success.
It was further benefited by having a practical and economical printer
like Knowles in control of the mechanical departments. This combi-
nation of writer and mechanic gave the Journal an advantage that no
other paper in Providence possessed, and possibly explains its success
where so many other newspapers failed.
The plan of bringing matter for the Journal from New York prob-
ably ceased with the retirement of Burroughs. This paragraph, printed
in the 250th anniversary number [June 24, 1886,] would indicate a
different condition in the composing room after Senator Anthony became
the head of the concern :
"For many years the Journal went to press at about the hour when the work on a
morning paper now begins; and there is a tradition that an old foreman [Joseph L.
Burroughs] once complained to Gov. Anthony that the news was coming in so late that
two or three men were obliged to work after supper."
The telegraph service was utilized in 1848, just before the pres-
idential election. Little attention was paid to local happenings, except
matters that related to the government of the State and city until 1860.
The policy of the paper in that respect is stated in the imprint, as follows :
"No report, resolutions or proceedings of any corporation, society, association or
public meeting, and no communication designed to call attention to any matter of limited
or individual interest can be inserted, unless paid for as an advertisement."
Reporters were not employed, except that the compositor who set
the ship news also went along the river front and collected the local
events of interest in that line of business, and scanned the exchanges
for news of Providence vessels away from home.
William Jones Miller was foreman of the composing room of the
Journal for sometime previous to March, 1842, when he was succeeded
by Joseph L. Burroughs. The other employes of the room in July,
1845, were : D. B. Taylor, Marcus B. Young, Seth Simmons, Thomas M.
Rounds, Samuel S. Wilson, William B. Maxfield, Jethro T. Briggs,
apprentice. In the same year, the names of Jonathan P. Helme, W.
Martin and John T. Tillinghast appear. Other journeymen who worked
there were: George T. Arnold and Nathan M. Ormsbee (1846), J. W.
Cory (1847), Alvin S. Arnold (1848), Albert N. Angell, Henry Phare
and Stephen G. Holroyd (1849), E. Cheever, George Lafaye and Cyrille
A. Carpenter (1850), T. Peterson, D. Doland and John Simmons (1851),
G. W. Johnson (1852), J. F. Collins, R. Hughes and Orrin Scott Pond
THE PROVIDENCE JOURNAL 33
(1853), Edward B. Hall (1855), E. W. Guilford, B. A. Sweet, F. E. Kelly,
D. S. Pearce, E. Sullivan, C. N. Caswell, George Whelden, Edward T.
AngellandE. P. Hicks (1856), H. Leis, F. J. Connor, John P. Davis and
James H. Elsbree (1857) , Volney Austin, Jeremiah N. Thomas and Peter
H. Massie (1858).
For 16 years after the death of John W. Vose, which occurred Nov.
12, 1847, the business was conducted by Knowles & Anthony. When
the transfer was made to that firm, the plant was valued at $16,000.
The most important change during that time was made in the press room,
where a Hoe single cylinder press, propelled by steam, was introduced
in 1856. Gradually the greater portion of the work in the composing
room had shifted from day to night, as the character of the news changed
from newspaper clippings to dispatches and local reports. The junior
partner was elected Governor of the State in 1849 and again in 1850.
In May, 1858, he was elected to the United States Senate, where he
served until his death, Sept. 2, 1884.
Senator Anthony's duties in Washington precluded his giving the
attention to the Journal that it now required. Newspapers everywhere
were beginning careers made possible by the introduction of improve-
ments in printing presses. Wider fields and more systematic manage-
ment were necessities. James S. Ham filled Senator Anthony's place
temporarily, but Prof. James B. Angell became the editor in 1860 and
continued in that position until 1866. On his retirement, George W.
Danielson, who had been admitted a partner Jan. 1, 1863, conducted the
editorial department as well as the entire management of the paper
until his death.
In the same month that he entered the partnership, Danielson
started the Evening Bulletin. His selection for membership in the firm
was due to his practical experience, gained in the composing rooms of
several newspapers and as partner in the publication of the Evening
Press. His management of the Journal covered the period of develop-
ment from a double cylinder press to the web perfecting press, with
stereotyping machinery, and from the four-page to the eight-page size.
The day that it was decided to increase the size of the Journal to eight
pages, Mr. Danielson informed Foreman Rose that that would be the
limit in their time, yet "Doc" has seen a forty-eight-page Sunday
Journal.
From the birth of the Journal in 1820 until Danielson's death in
1884, except the two years when George W. Jackson owned the paper,
there had always been a practical printer in the firm of publishers.
Danielson was the last of these journeymen owners.
34 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
What wages the journeymen printers received for their labor before
1820 is not now known. Deacon Pearse, in his reminiscences, says that
$8 per week was paid at that time. The hours of labor were from
sunrise to sunset in summer, and from daylight until 9 p. m. in winter.
Albert N. Angell says that 20 cents per 1000 ems was paid in 1839, when
he started to serve his apprenticeship. The pay roll in the composing
room of the Journal for one week in July, 1845, totalled $43.57. This
sum was paid to a foreman, who received $10, five compositors and an
apprentice. The largest sum paid to a compositor was $9.48. The
apprentice received $2.25. Four years later the Journal pay roll had
nearly doubled, amounting to $81.30. The largest "bill" that week was
$13.76. Evidently there was no apprentice at work there then nor for
many years after, as the smallest sum paid was $8.82. In 1851 the cost
of the room for one week had risen to $103.86, the extremes paid to the
compositors being $15.15 and $8.99. The journeyman receiving the
larger sum had to average 12,625 ems per day for the six days, pretty
fast work. A week in June, 1856, showed a still larger payroll ($110.55)
and a larger sum for the fastest compositor— $16.17; but the price per
1000 ems had risen to 28 cents for night work.
After the organization of Providence Typographical Union in 1857,
an unsuccessful attempt was made to advance the scale to 30 cents for
night work and 28 cents for day work. The payroll in the Journal
composing room continued to increase, reaching $131.02 for a week in
June, 1858, the largest "bill" amounting to $18.94 and the smallest
to $9.37.
The issuing of morning and evening editions from one plant caused
important changes in the Journal composing room. Before the Bulletin
was started the compositors distributed their cases in the afternoon,
consuming about two hours in that work, and set type for two hours,
when there was copy. The principal part of the composition was done
between 7 P. M. and 4 A. M. At first the evening edition required but
a small amount of new matter ; but later, when the paper became more
important, it required the best efforts of every workman in the room to
prepare its three daily editions. There was small limit then to the hours
that a compositor might work. He could begin as early as 10 A. M. and
keep busy until 4 o'clock the next morning. A small day force was
maintained, but the great bulk of the work was done by the regular
night force, who were supposed to be ready to " lift " copy not later
than 1 P. M. and continue composition until 4 P. M., when the Bulletin
went to press. Distribution then went on until 6 o'clock, when an hour
was taken for dinner, after which, at 7 P. M., composition was begun
again and continued until about 4 A. M., with an half hour out about
THE PROVIDENCE JOURNAL 35
11 P. M. for lunch. The average pay for this long day was about $4.50,
but double that amount was often earned when a lucky compositor got
a " jumbo," the name for a large advertisement. All the composition
was paid for by the piece, and the " fat " went to each journeyman in
rotation.
Edgar Yates, a proofreader on the Boston Post, describes his entry
into Providence and the Journal corriposing room in a letter to the
Souvenir Committee, dated May 10, 1904. His experience was dupli-
cated by many others who stopped in this town for a few days or a few
years in the "hand-set " days. The letter follows :
" I appeared in Providence in the latter part of the winter of 1881-2. I got in a couple
of weeks in the Rhode Island Printing Company's office on Weybosset street, and then
went across the street to E. A. Johnson's, where I stayed until Memorial Day of that year.
Newspaper subs were scarce and I was asked to work one night on the Journal. I lived
through it, and Ira Tew asked me why I didn't leave Johnson's and stick to the Journal.
So, seeing that Doc Rose had written my name on the sub list, I concluded to stay, and
with a slight intermission, when I went down East to teach school, I worked on the Journal
until the spring of 1884. Of course, I got cases after a while, and was slug 9, in the
centre alley to the left of the head of the old stairway. On my right was Leavitt, now of
Washington, and on my left was Jim Williams, who I understand has since died. Other
celebrated printers in the same alley were Ira Tew, John Dolan (now of the Boston
American), Withee (slightly lame in one foot), 'Am' (whose name wasAmsden) and
Press Willard, who both chewed tobacco, set type and swore with remarkable ease, skill
and fluency. I won't try to give you a roster of the office, but it was certainly made up
of the greatest gang of 'characters' that ever gathered under one low and stifling roof,
from Bobby Brannan to Frank Eddy and Jim Muspratt. One of the Journal old-timers,
Jack Rodgers, has been here with me on the Post until two or three weeks ago, when he
left to go on the Globe, and he and I frequently used to swap reminiscences of the days on
the 'D. 0. J.' and wish that we could put in a few nights there again on solid agate
'just for fun."
The introduction of linotype machines in 1889 revolutionized con-
idtions in the composing room. Regular employes were encouraged to
learn to operate them and the day scale was paid until the men became
proficient. Twenty cents per 1000 ems was then paid. There was
much difficulty in keeping the machines going, owing to the unfamil-
iarity of the operators with the care of machinery. In most cases it
was the journeyman's first acquaintance with machines of any kind.
The average product of the machines was not more than 3500 per hour.
It was believed by many that if the linotype could not do better work
and more of it than those in the Journal composing room were turning
out, nothing was to be feared from them. And as there was plenty of
work in Boston, New York and other cities, many of the compositors
left the city in preference to learning the linotype. While their judg-
ment was correct and agreed with that of Mr. Mergenthaler, he had
already almost completed another linotype which has finally overcome
all criticism.
The possibility to err in correcting was enormously increased by the
introduction of the linotype. Not only could other and worse errors
36 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
creep into the line that had to be reset for an error in the original one,
but the new line could be misplaced in many exasperating ways. Old
customs had to be forgotten in correcting and revising proofs. Italics
and small caps went out of use until the double matrix was introduced.
Soon after the introduction of the machines, it became apparent
that a shorter work day was necessary for the operators. The force
was arranged in two divisions, the day squad to begin at 9 A. M. and
continue to 4 P. M., with half an hour intermission at 11.30 A. M. for
lunch ; the night squad to begin at 7 P. M. and continue to "good night,"
with half an hour at 11 P. M. for lunch. This day has been still further
shortened by taking one-half hour off the day side and one hour off the
night side. A slight change has been made in the length of the day
for the proofreaders, to bring their total time within 48 hours per week.
The ad men are required to work eight hours per day or night.
When the latest type of machine was introduced, the price of com-
position was reduced to 13 cents per 1000 ems for night operators and
11 cents for day operators. The increased speed of the new linotypes
and their greater perfection made these prices more generous than 20
cents had been on the old machines.
To show the effect in the composing room caused by the machines,
two weeks are selected, one in 1887, about 18 months before, and one
in 1892, about 30 months after their introduction. At the latter date
all work except displayed advertisements was done on the linotype.
WEEK OF DEC. 24, 1887.
1— James Muspratt 8— W. M. Leavitt 16— J. P. Farwell
2— J. P. Bowes 9— A. L. Randall 17— E. S. Flanagin
3— Alvah Withee 10— Ira N. Tew 18— A. E. Morrill
4— C. P. Willard 11— M. S. Bouret 19— James E. McClintock
5— A. P. Brown 12— F. W. Haven 20— J. C. Kuril
6 — Joseph Newton 13— John A. Kopp 21— E. T. Spencer
7— J. P. Dolan 14— George H. Huston 22.— F. F. Sorbie
15 — Charles E. Andrews
The above were night regulars. The figures give the slug numbers.
The average earnings of each journeyman was $21.93. Morning news-
paper compositors rarely worked more than five days per week at that
time, and, therefore, five is a better divisor than seven to get the
average per day.
27— J. J. Locklin 33— F. B. Amsden 42— M. E. Hughes
28— A. M. Robertson 34— Gordon E. Shepard 43— W. Lewis
29— James Williams 35— W. A. Newell 45— H. McCutchen
31—1. C. Hargraves 36— E. T. Angell 46— H. W. Burns
32— H. C. Barnes 40— Roscoe N. Lawton 48— R. E. Newton
41-^J. L. Bicknell
The above constituted the day force. Their average earnings
were $16.76.
Homes of the Providence Journal
'WHIPPLE BUILDING
College Street
Journal, 1833-1844
"WASHINGTON BUILDING"
Journal, 1844-1871
And Numerous Other Printing Firms
"BARTON BLOCK"
Journal and Bulletin, 1871-1889
Evening Telegram, 1892-1899
"FLETCHER BUILDING
Journal and Bulletin
1889-1905
THE PROVIDENCE JOURNAL 37
H. H. Boardman
C. E. Burtwell
L. W. Brow
William Carroll
P. J. Coogan
J. F. Courtney
John E. Hurley
James J. Hay
W. J. Jolley
J. H. McCann
John O'Meara
John E. O'Connor
C. H. Partridge
William Palmer
Edwin W. Smith
Robert Grieve
The above were the substitutes. Their average earnings were
$14.30. A rotary sub list was in operation, causing a fairly equitable
division of the subbing.
Make-up and Bank Force— E. B. Rose, night foreman ; John Robinson, Jr., Robert
Qumn. John Milne, day foreman ; Charles W. Oberton, Charles H. Murray.
Proofreaders and Copyholders— A. J. Reach, Rudolph DeLeeuw, W. A. Potter, F. E
Jones, T. F. O'Rourke, William A. Pratt.
WEEK OF DEC. 24, 1892.
Ad Men— W. A. Newell, William J. Meegan, Gordon E. Shepard, John J. Locklin.
Machine Operators— Thomas W. Dalling, M. S. Bouret, William Warner, George H.
Huston, John H. Sullivan, John J. Murphy, James Rafferty, H. F. Davis, I. C. Hargraves,
L. W. Brow, A. P. Brown, J. P. Choquet, William Lewis, William Palmer, F. B. Amsden,
J. H. Dwyer, Charles H. Hopkins, A. H. Choquet, F. J. Capron, S. J. Riley, M. J. McHugh,
Joseph Dove, E. P. Walters, J. H. McCarthy, Joseph A. O'Brien, H. N. Burrett.
Copy Cutters, Bank Men, etc.— R. E. Newton, Roscoe N. Lawton, E. W. Smith
Clarence E. Burtwell, E. T. Angell.
Thirty-four journeymen— average earnings $23.43. The average
for all the journeymen in 1889 was $17.66.
Apprentices— William Curran, John O'Hara, William McManus, James Scanlon,
P. E. McElroy, W. J. Lanigan, James A. Fitzgerald.
The foreman was William Carroll, with John H. Milne, E. B. Rose
and Charles H. Murray as day assistants, and Frank Havens and A. E.
Morrill, night assistants.
A week just before Christmas, twelve years later, shows an increased
number of journeymen employed and better wages earned, although
the latter is accounted for to some extent by overtime that was neces-
sary because of the limited space in the composing room, which prevented
the employment of a greater number of journeymen.
WEEK OF DEC. 24, 1904.
Ad Men — John P. Keenan, Francis L. Reeney, Carl C. Robb, Daniel E. Mooney,
Daniel O'Connor, William Donovan, William D. McKenzie, Eli Alford, Frank C. Howard,
John J. Horton, William H. Doran, James P. Bowditch, John W. Mahoney, Thomas F.
Bowen, I. A. Beals, H. C. Barnes, Edward A. Emery, D. Otis Evans, William J. Meegan,
John J. Locklin, Charles E. McAndrews.
Earnings for eight hours $21 for day and $24 for night. Overtime
brought the average for each man to $30.54 for day and $28.05 for night.
Machine Operators. Day — Harry F. Davis, Alfred J. Rose, Joseph A. O'Brien,
William Lewis, John H. Dwyer, Harry G. Glasby, Martin J. Crofwell, George H. Huston.
Night— Michael J. McHugh, John J. Dwyer, John H. Sullivan, Frederick J. Tully,
John F. O'Hara, Joseph Crowley, E. A. Murphy, S.J. Riley, Charles Carroll, Hugh F.Dolan,
Edward G. Warner.
Composition on machines 11 cents for day, and 13 cents for night.
Day operators averaged $29.63 ; night operators (including Warner and
Dolan, substitutes,) $27.93.
38 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
Proofreaders and Copyholders — Ira Tew, Rudolph De Leeuw, Thomas F. O'Rourke,
Gordon E. Shepard, Edward C. Hoopes, I. C. Hargraves, William Scott, George Burroughs,
John J. Murphy, John P. Lenahan.
Wages for proofreaders, $21 for day, $24 for night ; copyholders
$15 day or night. Their overtime was insignificant.
William Carroll, foreman, with Robert E. Newton, A. E. Morrill and John P. Carroll,
day assistants; Willis Tobie, copy cutter; Andrew F. Moran, night foreman, with Fred
C. Hall, assistant ; Clarence E. Burtwell, copy cutter, and E. W. Smith, bank man.
The machinists were John Burger, day, and Ernest Klausch, night.
Apprentices— F. G. Sullivan, John A. Powers, John J.Laffy, John F.Russell, Walter
B. Davis, Cornelius C. Cusick, Joseph Harvey, Joseph Gerhard.
Less than one year after the death of Senator Anthony, the Provi-
dence Journal Company was incorporated. Richard S. Rowland was
elected Manager and Treasurer and A. L. Williams, Editor. Under Mr.
Rowland's direction the business acquired great development. The
Journal expanded from eight pages to sixteen pages ; the Bulletin, from
six pages to as high as thirty-six. The Sunday Journal was started in
July, 1885, with the opposition of many of the regular readers of the
Daily Journal on religious grounds. Its first size was ten pages. It has
reached forty-eight pages. The Providence Journal Almanac has been
issued annually since 1887. In the summer of 1903 the Block Island
Wireless was issued daily on Block Island. Since 1902 the employes
have enjoyed an outing annually on some summer day at the Warwick
Club Grounds, and on that occasion in 1905, 1906 and 1907 the Providence
Journal, Jr., has been issued.
In June, 1905, a portion of the new building, corner Eddy and
Westminster streets was occupied. Two new sextuple Hoe presses dis-
placed the old ones. The pages of the newspapers were shortened
and narrowed by taking off one column, and since Nov. 1, 1905, adver-
tisements have been excluded from the first pages of all the papers
issued by the Journal Company. In June, 1906, the entire new building
was occupied. The composing room is one of the finest in the country.
Mr. Rowland succeeded Mr. Williams as Editor in 1891. Since that
date the following changes have occured in that position : October 1898,
Frederick Roy Martin, Associate Editor ; July, 1904, David S. Barry,
Editor-in-Chief ; February, 1905, Frederick H. Rowland, Manager ; Feb-
ruary, 1906, Frederick Roy Martin, Editor and Treasurer.
DORRITE- KNOWNOTHING
The Dorrite movement was deficient in newspaper representation
until the Rhode Island Suffrage Association started the New Age and
Constitutional Advocate, a weekly paper. J. A. Brown managed it from
the first issue [Nov. 20, 1840,] until the Providence Daily Express was
added, just before the State election in the spring of 1842. Millard,
Low & Miller then became the publishers of both papers. Owing to a
" boycott " by the merchants, it was said, the Express suspended pub-
lication during the summer. It had been issued as a morning paper,
but when it was revived [Sept. 13, 1842,] it was as an evening paper.
After the State election of 1843 both papers were stopped. The owners
did not possess a printing plant, but hired the typesetting and press
work, four printing offices at different times being concerned in the work.
The Daily Evening Chronicle, began March 30, 1842, by J. M.
Church, without any particular hobby, lived until Sept. 29, 1843. Israel
Amsbury was a partner with Church for about nine months of the
paper's existence. The Narragansett Chief was issued as a weekly.
In January, 1844, Amsbury published the Daily Transcript and
Chronicle and also the Weekly Transcript. Evidently he thought Church
had made a mistake in the width of the columns, for he crowded six
columns in the same sized page in which Church had found room for
only four. The following October, Joseph S. Pitman became editor and
partner, and eight months later proprietor. Green & Shaw acquired the
papers in July, 1847, and changed the name to The Daily Evening
Transcript. The next July A. Crawford Greene became sole proprietor,
and in September, at the opening of the presidential campaign, the
words "and Free Soil Advocate" were added to the name, and carried
until May, 1849, when they were dropped. For the year 1857, John F.
Greene was a partner with A. C. Greene, his brother. March 8, 1858,
the Transcript was absorbed by the Tribune.
The Providence Daily Tribune was started June 13, 1853, by Greene,
Amsbury & Co., with Clement Webster and Benj. Colby as editors. The
following editorial announcement, printed Jan. 1, 1856, indicates that it
was the organ of the Know Knothing party :
"Still do we believe intemperance a great social and moral evil, to be uprooted by the
combined power of moral suasion and legal prohibition. And still can we see no reason
why we should lay aside our armor and remit our opposition to popery, that other curse,
though assuming the hallowed name of religion ; and against it, therefore, shall we war
with all the weapons committed to us, to battle its errors and resist its encroachments."
Benj. Colby & Co. were its publishers at this time. Oct. 10, 1857,
J. Flagg Carr & Co. acquired control of the paper and when the Tran-
script was absorbed the name was changed to the Providence Daily
Tribune and Transcript. It probably suspended in December, 1858.
THE MORNING MIRROR
In the spring of 1849 Messrs. Rowe & Co. who kept the only news-
paper store in Providence at that time, and were also dealers in teas and
coffees at No. 24 Market square, commenced the publication of The
Morning Mirror, and continued to publish the paper until the fall of
1854. The first location of the office was in the upper story of the
Granite Building, corner of Market square and North Main street. The
press work was done in the office of A. Crawford Greene, who ran a job
office in the same building. The Mirror office was afterwards moved to
a new brick building, corner Exchange place and McNeil lane. Several
months later fire destroyed the entire establishment. When new mate-
rial was obtained, the office was located in the basement of the Franklin
House on College street. The store and office were connected in the rear.
All the printers "ran" with the Water Witch Engine Company, No. 6,
then located on Benefit street, where the Court House now is ; and when
an alarm of fire was announced by the bell of the Second Baptist Church,
then located on the present site of the Masonic Temple, the entire force
on the paper, foreman, compositors, pressman and the man who turned
the wheel, went out through the doors and windows, "bent" on the
"tail-rope" of the engine, as she came down College Hill, and away to
the fire. The business of the office was suspended until the fire was
out, when the printers returned to their duties at the office.
Philip A. Marks was the first and only foreman employed on the
Mirror. He was an Englishman, very short in stature, and always
wore a silk high-crowned hat. Among the compositors were George
Cranston, AmosB. Cranston (Mouse), Nelson Boyle, Franklin A. Chase
(Crumles), Billy Barbour and Scott Pond. In 1853 there turned up in
the office, Ben C. Truman, who had run away from a Shaker village in
New Hampshire. He entered as an apprentice and remained 20 months.
He received the name of "Shaker." His subsequent career was a most
distinguished one and will be found in another portion of this book.
Capt. George H. Pettis says:
" I joined the force in August, 1849, and remained on the paper until I went to
California, in May, 1854, excepting when I would be laid off for a day or two every month
for scrapping with the foreman, when I would be sent for and would resume work again.
As I came here from Cohoes Falls, New York State, I received the cognomen of "Cohoesey,"
which name has remained with me to this day. When the office removed to Exchange
place a second-hand Hoe large cylinder press was installed in the office and Ned Angell
was employed as pressman. John Neafi, an Irishman, whose office name was "John Mickey,"
was employed to turn the wheel. This was the first Hoe press used in this State. Among
the Editors of the Mirror I can recall the names of Clement C. Webster, "John of York"
Colby and a lawyer by the name of Dave Parmenter."
PRESS AND STAR
After several failures in attempting to publish a daily newspaper in
this city George W. Danielson succeeded with the Evening Press. He
was foreman of the composing room of the Daily Post in 1858, and
witnessed the end of the Daily Tribune in December of that year,
leaving Providence without an evening paper. Probably Danielson
then began to prepare for his next newspaper venture, as in the follow-
ing spring [March 14, 1859,] the Evening Press was launched, in time
for the closing events of the State election. Albert R. Cooke was his
partner. The Press was immediately successful. When it was one year
old it was enlarged and became "the largest newspaper in the State."
It was the first evening paper to issue more than one edition regularly;
and on April 13, 1861, when Fort Sumter had been fired on, it issued a
"postscript," the first in the city.
At the beginning of 1861 it announced the following improvement :
"Wilcox's Double Cylinder Air Engine, a Rhode Island contrivance, which, within its
sphere, eclipses anything known to us. By its means we are enabled to print one sheet
on our Hoe cylinder press at the rate of upwards of 1800 impressions per hour, at the same
time it also runs in our job printing department three other presses, an Adams, a Gordon
and a Ruggles."
Stephen Wilcox, Jr., of Westerly, R. I., was the inventor. A double
cylinder Hoe printing press was added in October of 1861, the first used
in the city. Danielson retired in October, 1862. The circulation was
claimed to be above 9000 per day at that time. The Civil War was in
progress and there was a large demand for newspapers. But it must
have taken the double cylinder at least three hours to print one side of
the paper. In the presidential campaingn of 1864, from August until
the end of the year, the Press was issued both as a morning and evening
paper. Cooke, Jackson & Co. were its publishers after the retirement
of Danielson until March 28, 1864, when Hiram H. Thomas & Co.
acquired control. At the end of October, 1865, " The Providence Press
Co." was organized to conduct the paper, and Rev. Sidney Dean became
its editor. In October, 1869, Dean was forced out to try George
Seilheimer, who retired at the end of three months, after improving the
paper very much but probably increasing the cost in a corresponding
ratio. During this management the Morning Star was started [Dec. 6,
1869]. Dean again assumed control and there was no further change
in management for about ten years. When the hard times of 1873
came, the price of the Press was reduced to three cents and that of the
Star was raised to two cents. Between this time and 1880 Dean had a
hard struggle to maintain the papers, but by good management and
strict economy succeeded. In October of 1880 a number of rich men in
the State acquired the controlling interest in the company and brought
Z. L. White, Washington correspondent of the New York Tribune, to
42 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
this city to become editor-in-chief. New type was purchased, a large
amount of money was expended for news, etc., and in 1882 a Scott
perfecting press was installed, together with a stereotyping plant. The
political policy of the paper was also changed in a manner to repel some
large advertising patrons. The morning after the assassination of
President Garfield, a Sunday edition of the Star was begun. This was
for a time a financial success. But the continual loss of money by the
other papers caused the moneyed men to drop off, and in September,
1884, the newspapers came into possession of White, the Press Co.
retaining the book and job departments. This portion was finally
acquired by Snow & Farnham, who have successfully conducted the
business and are now located in the Hanley building on Washington
street.
White discontinued the Press immediately and started the Evening
News the next day, Oct. 1, 1884. The latter paper lived until the
following March.
The Evening Item was started in the summer of 1886 and continued
until Nov. 22 of the same year, when the ownership passed to Edmund
S. Hopkins, who had been interested in the business for some time.
The Star and Item were " consolidated " under the title of The Provi-
dence Star, which was issued as an evening paper. The pages of the Item
were arranged to open like those of a law brief. The entire business was
discontinued March 6, 1887. The political odor of the Star had become
so bad that it was not considered safe to continue the paper through the
State election, which was only a month off. A campaign paper called
the Republican was printed for a few weeks and then the establishment
was broken up and dispersed. That year the Democrats won the
governorship, their first State victory since 1860.
Isaac Whiting, Robert P. Boss, Henry A. Barnes and George E.
Cooley were among the foremen of the Evening Press; Edward A.
Carter, Charles E. Burchfield, A. P. Brown, William Carroll and Herbert
A. Darling were foremen of the Morning Star.
Table of wages and cost of Morning Star composing room for week
ending Dec. 25, 1886 :
No. of men Highest Lowest Average
Dec. 19— Saturday 9 $3.89 $2.34 $3.13
Dec. 20— Sunday 14 6.52 3.24 4.10
Dec. 21— Monday 8 3.16 2.34 2.66
Dec. 22— Tuesday .... 9 4.57 2.05 2.88
Dec. 23— Wednesday . . 8 3.42 2.41 3.00
Dec. 24— Thursday .... 8 3.27 2.41 2.86
Dec. 25— Friday 8 3.89 2.73 3.25
For the week 4.10 2.50 3.12
For seven days each man averaged. $21.84. Cost of labor in room
$341.10. Price of composition 36 cents per 1000 ems.
. THE PROVIDENCE NEWS
In 1888 the Journal ceased to be the organ of the Republican party
of Rhode Island by formal announcement in a convention of that party.
The elections in the five years following were hard fought and the need
of a newspaper organ was felt. John L. Heaton, who had acquired
newspaper experience in New York city, assisted by his wife, Mrs. Eliza
P. Heaton, attempted in September, 1891, to fill the want by establishing
the Providence News. The publication office was at 10 Pine street and
the business office at 7 Weybosset street. A. J. McConnell was foreman
of the composing room, which was strictly union. The paper was
enlarged in February, and the Republican State convention [March 15,
1892] endorsed it as the "official organ of the Republican party of Rhode
Island." The Weekly News [12 pages, $1 per year] was started June
24, 1892. In October the plant was removed to 24 and 25 South Water
street and about this time the paper passed out of the hands of Mr.
Heaton. D. Russell Brown became interested in its publication. In a
few months the union force in the composing room was discharged and
a non-union force substituted. July 15, 1897, the News by announcement
became a " newspaper, not a party organ," after Messrs. R. W. Bryant,
Charles W. Bacon and Stephen A. Hopkins had purchased the controlling
interest, and the trio became publisher, editor and business manager
respectively. This arrangement lasted until Sept. 22, 1897. On the
latter date J. W. Watson became publisher and manager and Charles H.
Rowland editor. M. C. Day, G. F. Mackinnon and C. H. Rowland had
left the Journal and attempted to make the News successful. Their
efforts failed and at the end of their contract Torrey E. Wardener came
from Boston [Sept. 28, 1900] and made a sensational splurge which
ended in a libel suit. On the 1st of July, 1902, the plant was moved to
corner Washington and Mathewson streets. Here the first newspaper
color press used in the State was installed. Mr. Brown continued owner
until May 10, 1906, when he sold to Messrs. Trumpler and Dillenback,
who changed the name to the News-Democrat and also changed the
paper's politics to the support of the Democratic party. The News-
Democrat is the only newspaper in Providence that uses the label of
the Allied Printing Trades Council, and it also prints a daily depart-
ment devoted to the doings of the local labor organizations. A. J.
McConnell, C. M. Clark, Fred A. Manson, I. A. Beals, Albert Ridge,
George B. Sullivan and William Simmons have been foremen of the
composing room.
THE EVENING RECORD
The date of the first issue of The Evening Record is unknown to
even those now living of the small coterie who were its sponsors. It is
certain that it existed for more than a year as a daily paper, during
which time its place of publication was changed three times, not in-
cluding the location of its first office, 54 North Main street. Each change
of base was made not for the better but of necessity. From North Main
street the plant was moved to the loft of a low brick building then
standing at the corner of Exchange street and Exchange place, now
covered by the Industrial Trust Co. building. Only because of the
demolition of this building did the Record seek new quarters. Of the
tenants of this old block, the Record was the last to move. The removal
of the roof, sides and front of the building did not hasten the Record to
vacate, and not until only a shelving of floor remained, the stairway to
which had been removed, did the proprietors of the publication seek
another location. Its third home was the street floor of a dilapidated
building on Friendship street. While at this place the Record secured,
by award of the committee on city printing, that part of the city
advertising which had formerly been given to the Telegram. This
seemingly good fortune on the part of the Record might have been of
material assistance to its publishers had not an attachment been placed
in the hands of the City Treasurer covering the amount of money due
from that source. This incident did not interfere with the regular
publication of the paper, however.
Perhaps the Record would not so soon have left the Friendship
street quarters for others on Eddy street but for the reason that two
brawny men, armed with monkey-wrenches, walked into the office one
afternoon and proceeded to disjoint the press, an undertaking in which
they were eminently successful in a very short space of time. The press
itself was a unique specimen of that class of machinery — single-cylinder,
two-revolution, equipped with folder and jogger— or something like that.
The "make" is unknown; pictures of it cannot now be found even in
catalogues.
For a while — a few days — the forms were carried by express to a
printer on Eddy street and there the edition was run off. There was
lots of room in this Eddy street office and the Record soon occupied
space therein. Moving was easy on this, the last shift, an electric
motor, lost in the Exchange place building, and the press, removed from
the Friendship street headquarters, constituting the heaviest items in
the Record's original plant.
THE EVENING RECORD 45
Everything in connection with the Record's publication was now
being done on a cash basis. The man who furnished the paper had to
have his money before he left his bundle; the expressman with the
"plate matter" presented a c. o. d., and even the printer, with whom
the publishers had practically cast their lot, demanded his hire before
beginning to print Notwithstanding these and many other drawbacks,
the Record lived on and would have undoubtedly lingered longer but
for this exacting printer meeting with the same hard luck as the Record
in having his press taken away one day by two brawny, but different men.
That event and the demise of the Record occurred the same day,
no effort being made to find another home.
The Evening Record's title was changed several times, perhaps as
often as the location of its business. Starting as the Record-Herald,
change was made because of objection by parties claiming right to the
title of Herald. World-Record was chosen as a fitting substitute, only
to be met with a like grievance by another party who claimed the World
as personal property. The Evening Record, whether or not its third
distinguishing title, served as the name under which the paper was
printed for a year or more.
During the mayoralty campaign of 1891, the Telegram, the demo-
cratic party organ, betrayed its faith, and it was for the purpose of
rebuking its owner, its editor and those democrats who had compassed
the defeat of the regular nominee of the democratic convention that the
Evening Record was started. That purpose was never lost sight of and
all who were regarded as responsible for the party's defeat of that year
were mercilessly scored by the Record up to its dying day— Aug. 4, 1892.
THE TRIBUNE
The first number of The Evening Tribune was issued on Monday,
March 12, 1906. A month before this, the plant, franchises and good
will of the Providence Telegram Publishing Company had been pur-
chased by a company of active newspaper men of the city, consisting
of Matthew S. Dwyer, Frederick H. Rowland, Frederic N. Luther,
Timothy F. Dwyer, DanielJ. Dwyer, Albert C. Rider, John J. Rosenfeld,
Edmund E. Eastman, Charles R. Thurston, Frank E. Jones, Horace G.
Belcher and Thatcher T. Thurston, all of whom had been connected
with the Providence Journal for periods of from twelve to thirty-four
years.
Associating with them a large number of others who had worked
with them in their former positions — reporters, foremen of mechanical
departments, compositors, stereotypers, pressmen and clerks — they under-
took to test their belief that there was room in the field for a penny paper
differing in appearance and in quality from any previously offered in
the city, at the same time furnishing what in the present has come to
be the rare example of a newspaper owned and controlled by those who
make it.
The paper they put out was an entirely new one in every respect,
in no way like that which it superseded, but it at once found popular
favor in substantial degree with both readers and advertisers. The
circulation of the superseded paper at the time of its purchase was
17,000. With the eighth issue of The Evening Tribune the management
announced that there had been obtained a permanent minimum circu-
lation of 27,500, and the advertising patronage required the use of
sixteen eight-column pages. From that time on growth has been steady
until now the average circulation is over 32,000 and on the heaviest
advertising days it has been necessary to issue twenty-two pages, which
make, it is claimed, the largest newspaper sold anywhere for one cent.
The Sunday Tribune was issued in connection with The Evening
Tribune from the first, its more distinctive feature, perhaps, being the
supplementing of its main sections, for the first time by any Providence
paper, with a large and handsomely illustrated magazine section in the
modern tabloid form.
Satisfied with the experiment and encouraged by the degree of
material success attained, the management issued on July 4, 1906, the
first number of The. Morning Tribune, also a penny paper, giving
Providence, for the first time in many years, a second morning paper.
THE TRIBUNE 47
This experiment also proved justified. Starting with nothing, the
morning issue obtained a circulation that since the first day has not
fallen below 9,000 and is at present over 11,000.
For the first two months and a half, The Morning Tribune's tel-
egraphic news was obtained from the Publishers' Press Association,
supplemented by the special service of the New York Herald. But at
the quarterly meeting of the Board of Directors of the Associated Press,
Sept. 20, 1906, it was unanimously elected to full membership in that
Association. The management then announced that with a full com-
plement of regular issues — Morning, Evening and Sunday — with a
complete equipment of news service for each, it would thenceforth devote
itself to making its publication a recognized and firmly established
Rhode Island institution.
Immediately after the purchase of the Telegram plant, the mechan-
ical equipment was improved by the addition of considerable new
machinery, a modern photo-engraving department was established, ad-
ditional space was taken in the building for the accommodation of the
editorial and reportorial staffs and the general facilities for getting out
the paper were liberally increased. Later, at the beginning of 1907,
the business office was doubled in extent, entirely refurnished, and pro-
vided with special conveniences for patrons and the general public.
At the conclusion of its first year, March 12, 1907, The Tribune
editorially said of itself: "Its material success has surpassed the highest
expectations of its management and makes, it is believed, a new record
in New England journalism."
THE LABOR PRESS
An attempt to establish a labor paper in Providence was made by
the Rhode Island Co-operative Printing and Publishing Co., of which
E. C. Pierce was President and Robert Grieve Secretary-Treasurer.
Shares were sold at $5 each and a large number were disposed of in
small lots. The weekly paper that was issued by the company was
named The People. The first number appeared Saturday, Dec. 5, 1885.
Robert Grieve was editor, George Farnell reporter, Joseph C. Barker
foreman and Henry Burrett apprentice. It almost immediately secured
a wide circulation and was enlarged twice, in February and again in
April, 1886. The financial results were not satisfactory, however, and
in June, 1887, a reduction in size was made and Holmes W. Merton
became publisher and John Francis Smith editor. Aug. 27, 1887, one
column was added to each page. From Oct. 15, 1887, to May 19, 1888,
Harry C. Vrooman edited The People. The paper suspended May 26, 1888.
The Providence Labor Tribune was issued from No. 5 Washington
Row from Sept. 3, 1886, to Aug. 27, 1887, by F. E. Corbett, but was made
up almost entirely of plate matter and had little influence.
Providence Typographical Union, No. 33, began the publication of
a daily, The Evening Call, Tuesday, April 20, 1889, at 64 North Main
street. The Call was "set up and produced by the printers who until
last Saturday [April 27] were in the employ of * * * the Telegram, and
were then locked out * * * because they would not forfeit their honor
and continue to work with non-union men headed by a person who was
a member of the Typographical Union and betrayed his comrades in
that body by organizing a gang of non-unionists to fill the places of the
Union men." Frank E. Jones was editor for a time.
The trouble in the Telegram composing room was caused by a new
scale of prices which went into effect the previous February [25th].
It had been agreed to and signed by the Telegram's manager, but in a
few weeks he was dissatisfied at the increased expense. After an inter-
view with the Executive Committee of the Union the scale was modified
to suit his views at a meeting of the Union. The revised scale went
into effect April 1 and was signed by the Telegram's manager and the
President of the Union. Notwithstanding this apparent settlement
preparations were made by the Telegram management to fight the
Union, with the result that the entire force of 37 men refused to work
with the non-unionists that had been gathered and quit the office
April 27.
THE LABOR PRESS 49
The Call was issued to take advertising business away from the
Telegram and to rally the working people of the State to the support of
the printers. Pawtucket Cigarmakers, No. 94; Iron Moulders, No. 41
and No. 9; Tailors, Masons and Carpenters Unions of Providence almost
immediately passed resolutions condemning the Telegram. When the
matter came before the Central Labor Union the Telegram manager
asked for a hearing and was present at the meeting of May 26, but
declined to make a statement on the ground that a number of printers
present were not regular delegates. He asked for a committee of con-
ference, but expressed a wish that no printers be placed upon it. The
labor sentiment was against the Telegram, but it was not as potent a
factor as in the days of Knights of Labor supremacy.
The Call continued to prosper and was enlarged on May 27 and the
publication office was changed to the third floor of Billings Block, No. 21
Eddy street.
The non-unionists in the Telegram office formed a branch of the
P. P. F.'s, known as Rhode Island Printer's Protective Fraternity, No. 29.
At the meeting on May 5, Charles W. Oberton was elected President.
At that time there were about 400 members of that organization in the
United States, and they had attempted to "rat" Kansas City, Mo.,
Milwaukee, Wis., Jacksonville, Fla., Indianapolis, Ind., Louisville, Ky.,
and the New York Tribune. The Telegram management attempted to
convince the labor people of the State that the P. P. F.'s were a rival
labor organization to the International Union, and advertised as follows :
"Wanted, a few good compositors. Union men preferred."
It was well known that members of the International Union could
not work in the office with the P. P. F.'s.
The Central Labor Union adopted resolutions against the Telegram
June 24, and on the same date its manager notified the officers of the
Union, manager of the Call, and members of the Executive Committee
of the Union, of his intention to prosecute. President Randall was
arrested June 26 for libel ; damages placed at $5000.
Francis F. Sorbie, Joseph D. Hall, Jr., and Financial Secretary George
E. Boomer were arrested June 27 ; John W. Clarkson, James P. Bowes,
P. J. Coogan and J. J. Nolan on June 29, damages fixed at $1000 in each
case. A warrant was out against James Moore, but was not served
until July 19. All were promptly bailed.
Announcement was made on July 14 that the Call was being printed
on its new Scott press.
At a meeting between a delegation from Iron Moulders Union,
No. 41, and the Telegram manager, the latter agreed to put his former
50 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
foreman, James H. Russell, in full charge of the Telegram composing
room on July 17, but backed out later.
George W. Wilson was arrested July 19; damages $5000. Textile
Workers Union, No. 16, of Olneyville, denounced the Telegram on
July 22; Pa wtucket Typographical Union, No. 212, folio wed July 30; and
Woonsocket Typographical Union took action Aug. 2. A large number
of full sheet posters, giving the resolutions adopted by the R. I. Central
Trades Union, were put up throughout the State by unknown persons.
The day before the annual convention of the Knights of Labor, the
Telegram manager held a conference with Russell, officers of No. 33 and
leaders of the Knights of Labor, at which it was again agreed that
Russell should become foreman of the Telegram on the following Mon-
day. The Knights of Labor took no action at their convention on
Saturday in consequence, but the alleged agreement was not carried
out. The obstacle in the way of a settlement was believed to be a
$3000 forfeit, that had been put up in New York before the lockout by
the Telegram manager, to guarantee his contract with the National
Protective Fraternity of New York, in order to secure non-union help
for his composing room.
President Plank of the I. T. U. came to Providence Aug. 13, to
endeavor to aid Providence Union, but nothing tangible resulted. The
Telegram was sold to Joseph Banigan and others, Sept. 29, and the
contract with the non-unionists was inherited. Many of the Telegram
compositors had left town, linotypes had been introduced into the Journal
composing room, causing many changes in that office, and plate matter
began to appear in increasing quantities in the Call, indicating that the
fight was practically over as far as the Union was concerned, although
nominally the paper continued to appear in its name for some time
afterwards. It had made a very creditable record. The International
Union had furnished financial assistance.
Justice was started Sept. 2, 1893, "by the Central Labor Union, for
and in the Interests of the Toilers." At first it was directed by "The
Committee." Publication ceased from Dec. 23, 1893, to April 7, 1894.
George E. Boomer revived it on the latter date and continued it until
Nov. 30, 1895, when final suspension took place.
LIST OF DAILY NEWSPAPERS
The list of daily newspapers that have had an existence in Provi-
dence is a long one; the survivors number but five. The Daily Adver-
tiser heads the list. It preceded the issue of the Daily Journal one day.
In fact, its appearance forced the publishers of the Journal to start
before they considered a daily necessary. Following is the list:
Daily Advertiser ( 1829 ). Evening Telegraph ( 1858 ).
Daily Journal ( 1829 ). Evening Press ( 1859 ).
Free Press ( 1830 ). Evening Bulletin ( 1863 ).
Daily American ( 1831). Morning Herald ( 1868).
Public Ledger ( 1831 ). Morning Star ( 1869 ).
Daily City Gazette (1833). Evening Chronicle (1874).
Commercial Advertiser (1834). Daily Sun (1876).
Evening Star ( 1834 ). Evening Times ( 1877 ).
Daily News ( 1834 ). Evening Telegram ( 1880 ).
Morning Courier ( 1836). The Mail ( 1884).
Daily Express ( 1842). Evening News ( 1884).
Evening Chronicle ( 1842 ). Evening Item ( 1886).
Daily Gazette (1844). Providence Star (1886).
Transcript and Chronicle ( 1844 ). Evening Dispatch ( 1886 ).
Daily Sentinel (1846). Daily Republican (1887).
Daily Star ( 1849). Daily Dispatch ( 1887).
Morning Mirror (1849). Evening Call (1889).
Daily Post ( 1850 ). The Providence News ( 1891 ).
Daily Tribune ( 1853 ). Evening Record ( 1891 ).
The Plaindealer ( 1855). The News-Democrat ( 1906).
American Citizen (1855). Evening Tribune (1906).
Morning Tribune (1906).
Of the journeymen printers who have been concerned in the
management of these daily newspapers, Joseph Knowles, William Jones
Miller, Clement Webster, George W. Danielson, George 0. Willard and
Peter J. Trumpler have met with the greatest success. Knowles was
identified with many printing partnerships, and must have been a keen
business man ; Miller was an ardent Dorrite and acquired journalistic
experience while publishing the Daily Express and Daily Gazette.
Afterwards he was influential in establishing the Daily Post. Webster
was a clever writer, and Danielson, after some failures, began the pub-
lication of the Evening Press and later the Evening Bulletin, two most
successful newspapers. Willard, after many years' successful work on
the Evening Press, went to Pawtucket, and in partnership with George
E. Cooley, started the Evening Times in that city. Trumpler's ability
was displayed in securing advertising business for the Evening Tel-
egram, and later in the same line for the Pawtucket Times, and as
business manager of The News-Democrat.
SUNDAY NEWSPAPERS
The first Sunday newspaper published in Providence was started in
1874. Its name was The Sunday Dispatch. Edwin D. White was its
manager and the printing office was located at 57 Weybosset street.
The size was four pages, and there were few special features. Saturday
night's news was covered practically as the daily papers covered the
news of the other six days of the week. Preston D. Jones bought the
Dispatch in 1875, and the printing was done by the firm of Reynolds,
Mackinnon & Trumpler, at 5 Washington row, where the Providence
Journal office had been. In 1879 P. D. & E. D. Jones were the owners
of the Dispatch and the office was located at 18 Custom House street.
In 1880 P. D. Jones became sole owner and the location was at 81 Dyer
street. P. D. Jones died Oct. 31, 1884, and soon after Trumpler & Abell
acquired the property and printed the paper at 30 Eddy street. In 1886
W. B. W. Hallett was owner and the publication office was at No. 7
Union street. In September of that year The Evening Dispatch was
issued as a two cent daily, by Orville Remington and C. C. Corbett. It
was stopped Feb. 5, 1887. Corbett was then the publisher. Three days
afterwards the Providence Daily Dispatch was issued as a morning
paper from the same plant. Later the business office was moved to 54
Westminster street and the composing and press rooms to their former
location on Washington row. An Evening Dispatch was soon substituted
for the morning paper. While at this location in 1889, there was a strike
of the compositors, and the union force was replaced by non-unionists
under the foremanship of Cohick, who had acquired notoriety a few
years before in the lockout on the Boston Post.
Lewis Burtnett, now editor of the Greensboro (N. C.) Labor News,
was among the strikers. He relates the following incident that came
under his notice when employed on the Despatch :
"While the Dispatch was living, under the management of 'Charlie' Corbett, and
after he had made a stock company of it, one of the stockholders, a woolen mill man from
the Pawtuxet Valley, made a kick because the payroll was so large, and asked Corbett
why it was that the ads. could not be set on time instead of by the piece. Corbett, who
had been raising a rumpus for a long time about this very same thing, told the wool man
that he had been trying to have the ads. set on time, 'but' he added, 'the damn church
or chapel, as they call it out there in the composing room, won't allow it.' That was
before ' Charlie ' turned evangelist."
The life of the evening paper went out May 13, 1889. E. A. Corbett
was issuing a Sunday Dispatch in 1894 at 174 Weybosset street.
Other Sunday papers not connected with dailies were: Sunday
Gazette (1878), Sunday Morning Transcript (1879-85), Sunday World
(1886-92), Sunday Courier (1887-90), Sunday News (1889), Sunday
Republican (1889-91), Sunday Times (1890).
FIFTY-YEAR HISTORY OF
PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION
1857-1907
When it was first decided to attempt a history of printing in Provi-
dence it was thought that, so far as the "Union" was identified with the
story, all would be plain sailing. Several years previous to the beginning
of this work the Union had, through the efforts of one of its officers,
fortunately recovered two lost volumes containing the records of the
first seventeen years of its existence.
It was then thought that the date of the formation of the first
association of Providence printers was identical with that of Typo-
graphical Union No. 33, but the committee, in its quest for material
other than that pertaining to the Union, discovered evidence of the
existence of an earlier society.
In the Providence directory for 1854 is printed a list of officers of
the Providence Printers' Union, as follows: George W. Danielson,
President; Nathan Hall, Vice-President ; Israel Amsbury, Secretary;
Albert N. Angell, Treasurer. This Union met every Saturday evening
at 24 Westminster street.
The object of this Union, when it was formed and when it ceased
to exist, cannot be determined by available data, but it is believed its
purposes were of a social nature and unlike those actuating the organ-
ization of trades unions.
Evidence that Providence Typographical Union was formed in 1856
is offered by the records of Boston Union for that year in the following
resolution adopted by No. 13 at its August meeting:
"WHEREAS, This society has learned that 'Little Rhody' is awake and that a 'Union '
has been established at Providence,
"RESOLVED, That this Union tenders the right hand of fellowship to the printers of
Providence, and promises them our hearty co-operation in carrying on the good work of
forming and establishing a society which may prove honorable to themselves and of
permanent importance to the craft.
"RESOLVED, That experience having proved that organization is necessary not only to
ensure a fair remuneration for labor, but to establish a regular system in offices, and
elevate the character of the profession, which has too long suffered from the incursions
of 'rat-dom,' this society 'trusts in Providence' that printers in other cities and towns
will speedily organize, confident that the benefits arising therefrom would be speedily
felt and appreciated."
The resolutions were presented by Mr. McCoubray and were
adopted unanimously.
54 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
This is substantiated by the first volume of Providence records,
referred to above, the title of which reads:
RECORD
of the
PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION, No. 33
Instituted June, 1856
But it is also evident that the Union was not formally organized
until 1857. Permanent officers were not elected under the adopted con-
stitution and by-laws until April, 1857, and application for charter from
the National Union was not made until August of that year.
That the charter was not received during 1857 appears to have been
no fault of Providence Union. Repeated inquiries brought no response
from National headquarters until March, 1858, when information was
received that the " charter would be forwarded as soon as practicable."
It is plain, then, that Providence Union could not have obtained its
number from the National Union previous to making application for
the charter, although the Union might have been assigned the number
previous to the forwarding of the parchment itself.
Therefore, as " Providence Typographical Union, No. 33," and as a
recognized subordinate body to the now International Typographical
Union, 1857 must be regarded as the birthyear of our organization.
Facts do not justify the selection of an earlier date, notwithstanding
they do certify an earlier association.
Still, whatever may have been the status of the Union during the
year 1856, it is only justice to admit that the enrolled membership of
that organization was the rock upon which the present Union built.
The following is, we believe, a complete list of the members previous
to April, 1857:
Stephen B. Potter George Whelden. Jeremiah N. Thomas.
Amos B. Cranston. George H. Cranston. Charles J. Hicks.
Nelson Boyle. E. A. Willcox. Alexander P. Niger.
Francis E. Kelly. Robert A. Pierce. Albert A. Scott.
Henry R. Sawyer. Ashton H. Gardiner. Martin S. Budlong.
Jabez Lord. William H. Barbour. Peter H. Massie.
George T. Arnold.
In the book of records labeled Vol. I, the first recorded meeting is
under date of April 11, 1857. At this meeting a committee previously
appointed reported that " they had interviewed almost all the journey-
men in the city and but three had refused to sign the scale." The
report was received and the committee continued.
Officers were then elected to serve until June, thereafter to be
elected semi-annually, according to the Constitution.
The committee On "Scale " submitted the following circular, which
was adopted and ordered presented to all employers on Monday, April 13 :
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 55
CIRCULAR.
At a meeting of the Providence Typographical Union, held on Saturday evening,
April 11, 1857, the following Resolution was unanimously adopted :
RESOLVED, That on and after Monday, April 20, 1857, we will demand the remuner-
ation for our labor specified in our Scale of Prices, adopted on the 4th inst., and that we
hereby pledge our names and our professional honor to prove true to the stand we
have taken.
SCALE OF PRICES.
DAILY (MORNING) PAPERS. Compensation per week, 10 hours to
Composition per 1000 ems ... $ 0.30 constitute a day's work .... $10.00
Compensation per week, 10 hours to BOOK AND JOB.
constitute a day's work . 12.00 ^
Composition per 1000 ems .... 0.28
EVENING PAPERS. Compensation per week, 10 hours to
Composition per 1000 ems .... 0.28 constitute a day's work .... 10.00
Compensation per week, 10 hours to PRESSMEN.
constitute a day's work . 10.00 ^
Compensation per week, 10 hours to
WEEKLY AND SEMI-WEEKY. constitute a day's work .... 10.00
Composition per 1000 ems .... 0.28
Several " sticksf ul " of argument why the advance should be granted
follow the " scale," and attention is called to the unenviable situation of
the morning newspaper hand in these words: "One evening in the
week is all that is allowed him to spend in the company of his wife and
children ; the ' sound of the church-going bell ' calls him not to the sanc-
tuary, but to the ' case,' to commence one more week of enervating toil."
At the meeting held one week later — April 18 — reports were received
from the several offices. Mr. A. B. Cranston, from the office of the Daily
Tribune, reported that the publishers would pay the advance ; J. A.
Ward, from the Tribune job office, reported that the proprietors would
pay the prices demanded ; Wm. H. Barbour, from Mr. Young's office,
reported favorably ; Mr. Whelden, from the Journal office, said that the
proprietors desired to compromise the matter, agreeing to pay 28 cents
instead of 30 cents per 1000 ems ; Mr. Gordon, from the Post, reported
that the Post management suggested a willingness to pay 28 cents
instead of 30 cents ; E. B. Hall, from Mr. Tillinghast's job office, re-
ported favorably.
After considerable discussion the "scale" was amended so as to read
"28 cents" instead of "30 cents."
The inquiry committee returned a favorable report upon the names
of ten applicants, and the gentlemen were duly elected to membership.
No other meetings of the Union were held during April, but on
May 2, a special meeting was called, presumably for the purpose of
taking action on a letter received from Boston Union, but before that
document was presented an anxious individual was on his feet with a
question for information. Mr. Whelden, in reply to the question, stated
that everything was satisfactory at the Journal office.
56 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
"BOSTON, APRIL 2, 1857.
"To THE PRESIDENT OF THE PROVIDENCE PRINTERS UNION:
DEAR SIR— I take the liberty to inform you, and through you the journeymen
Printers of Providence, that the Printers of Boston deeply sympathize with you in your
determination for an advance of wages; and I believe I express the wishes of the whole
society of which I have the honor to be President when I say we are with you heart and
soul. We have already issued handbills and will do all in our power to sustain you in the
glorious cause.
"Hoping to hear from you soon, and that you have succeeded in gaining the advance
asked for,
"I remain,
"Yours respectfully,
"H. W. HARRINGTON."
The President and Secretary were appointed a committee to answer
the above, which they did by offering the following resolutions :
"RESOLVED, That we tender our heartfelt thanks to the Boston Printers' Union for
the generous sympathy transmitted to us through their President, and trust that by
proving true to ourselves we may in a measure cancel the obligations we feel towards
them, and at the same time give assurance to our brother Printers throughout our common
country that while we labor for our personal advantage we are not unmindful that all
honest means employed for an increased compensation, and a strict adherence to those
principles laid down for good and intelligent workmen, will prove a blessing to the craft,
and give tone and dignity to the trade, which its merits deserve.
"RESOLVED, That we shall always remember with pride the interest felt in our
behalf by those gentlemen, members of the Boston Union, who so generously visited us,
and by their counsel and advice made us understand what we before believed, that we
had friends abroad upon whom we could rely in time of need.
" RESOLVED, That the above resolutions be signed by the President and Secretary,
and transmitted to the Boston Printers' Union."
Adopted.
Mr. Ormsbee moved that a committee be appointed, one from each
office, to report the state of trade in their respective offices. The motion
was carried and the President appointed the following:
Alexander P. Niger A. C. Greene's Job Office.
Stephen B. Potter Post Job Office.
John B. Ingraham H. Brown's Office.
Edward Hall Tillinghast's Job Office.
George Whelden Journal Office.
Henry R. Sawyer Transcript Office.
James A. Ward Tribune Job Office.
Nathan Hall Mr. Young's Job Office.
Amos B. Cranston Daily Tribune Office.
W. A. Leonard The Schoolmaster Office.
At the next meeting the above gentlemen reported that all things
were lovely in their respective offices, with these exceptions: At the
Journal office the pressmen were not receiving the advanced wage, and
in the office of Mr. Young one employe was working under price.
Mr. Ormsbee inquired what action was to be taken with members
who were known to be working for less than the Union scale.. The
query developed an animated discussion during which the pressmen
were hustled about and finally dropped overboard by the adoption of
the following resolution :
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 57
"RESOLVED, That our Scale of Prices be so altered and amended as to expunge the
remuneration of pressmen from it, and that one month's time be given them and any
others who may have objections to bring the same forward."
At the meeting held June 20, 1857, officers were again elected, and
from this time on elections were held semi-annually, in December and
June, until 1864, when the tenure of office was changed to one year,
and elections held annually in December.
July 10, 1857, Mr. Sawyer was directed to call upon the late secre-
tary and obtain the books in his possession belonging to the Union.
(This must refer to the secretary serving previous to April, 1857, as the
same secretary elected at the April meeting was re-elected in June.)
At the August meeting, the secretary was instructed to take im-
mediate measures to procure a charter from the National Typographical
Union, and he was also authorized to draw upon the treasury to pay for
the same.
The first charges of unfair conduct to be preferred against a mem-
ber were offered at a special meeting held August 15, 1857. The secre-
tary was directed to notify the member that further action would be
taken at the next meeting, and to invite him to be present and defend
himself as provided by the constitution.
William Madigan, of Boston, then addressed the Union at length
upon the duties and responsibilities of the members and the prospects
before them, and was followed by William Graham of the same city in
a neat and forcible speech.
The following resolutions were then presented and adopted:
"RESOLVED, That the thanks of this Union be, and they are hereby tendered to
Messrs. William Madigan and William Graham of the Boston Printers' Union for the
interest manifested in our behalf, in visiting us on the present occasion and the encour-
agement offered in their words of counsel and advice.
"RESOLVED, That the thanks of this Union be, and hereby are, further extended to
the members of the Boston Printers' Union for the many acts of kindness and sympathy
heretofore transmitted to us, and we assure them we shall always remember them with
gratitude, and refer to their organization with feelings of the greatest pride, and hope to
conduct ourselves so as always to merit their approval."
The resignation of the secretary, William A. Leonard, was accepted
at the September meeting, and resolutions were passed thanking him
for his services and wishing him success in his travels.
NOTE. William Madigan was a vigorous type of the Union man and one of whom
any profession or craft might be proud. Among the first to lend his services in the
formation of Boston Union, he never tired in his efforts to maintain and upbuild that
organization. So, too, at the call to arms, he was among the first to enlist in defence of
the Union — his country. May, 1861, Boston Union presented him with a sword, suitably
inscribed, he having, been appointed Captain of Company C, Ninth Regiment, M. V. M.
Word was received July 12, 1862,, by Boston Union, that Capt. Madigan had been killed
while leading his Company in a battle before Richmond. June, 1863, Col. Guiney of
the Ninth Massachusetts notified Boston Union of the finding of Capt. Madigan's "Union
sword," and at the July meeting of the Union the sword was presented to Capt. Madigan's
father.
William Graham was also one of the Boston Union pioneers. He deposited a Boston
card with Providence Union and worked for a while in this city.
58 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
September 18, 1857, the following resolution was passed:
"RESOLVED, That our organization, not yet being a subordinate division of the
National Typographical Union, finds it utterly impossible to enforce and maintain the
principles for which it was formed.
"RESOLVED, That we consider it one of our first duties to use every means in our
power to procure a charter from that body, and to the furtherance of that object it is
therefore further
"RESOLVED, That the corresponding secretary of this Union be, and hereby is
ordered to open a correspondence with the corresponding secretary of the National Union
in regard to obtaining a charter and travelling cards.
"RESOLVED, That the correspondence be commenced without delay.
"RESOLVED, That a copy of these resolutions be forwarded to the secretary of the
National Union."
At the October meeting the secretary stated that, in relation to the
charter, no answer had been received from the secretary of the National
Union. At the November meeting, however, a letter from Baton Rouge,
dated Oct. 2, 1857, was received and read.
A communication from Dubuque Union, designating as a "rat" an
ex-member of that Union, was read at the October meeting, and the
name and title is heavily underlined in the records. The "gentleman"
is distinguished as being the first recorded " rodent " on our books.
Immediately following appears the name of one of our own towns-
men, with a similar appellation, the title being conferred at the same
meeting.
A special meeting was called November 28, 1857, to consider matters
in relation to "Subs " and "Subbing," and it was voted that a committee
be appointed, one from each office, to attend to the wants of the "Subs."
The standing committee reported that a certain member was
working for $6 per week. The accused, being present, and unable
to give satisfactory reasons for his conduct, was dishonorably dis-
charged.
January 9, 1858, a committee was appointed to take into consider-
ation the subject of "State Printing" and take such action as they
deemed advisable. At the February meeting the committee reported
that it was inexpedient to take any action at present. Committee
discharged.
The necessity and propriety of a charter was again discussed at the
February meeting, and the corresponding secretary was instructed tc
forward to the National Union the amount necessary to pay for same.
The travelling card of F. A. Kelly, issued by Boston Union, No. 13,
was received at this meeting. This is the first travelling card recorded
as deposited, but it is believed to have been that of F. E. Kelly, a charter
member of Providence Union.
March, 1858, a communication was received from L. Graham, secre-
tary of the National Union, acknowledging the receipt of $10 forwarded
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 59
by the corresponding secretary and stating that the charter would be sent
as soon as practicable. One hundred blank travelling cards were also
received.
. At the meeting held April 10, 1858, a communication was received
from a member stating that he had been out of work for several months
and now proposed to go to work at a price lower than that fixed by the
Union, and requesting that he be permitted to withdraw from the
Union. The request was not granted. On the other hand, the man
having admitted that he intended to violate the scale, and it being
stated that he was actually at work contrary to Union regulations, it
was voted that he be expelled. At the May meeting another letter was
received from the same gentleman, stating that he sincerely regretted
the step he had taken; hoped that the Union would overlook and
forgive the offence and again receive him as a member, assuring his
former associates that he would not again transgress, and that he would
always stand ready to honor their commands and respect their laws.
Admitted upon the payment of a fine of $1.
The dues of a member who had been sick for some time were
remitted at this meeting.
A committee was appointed to correspond with Boston Union
relative to representation of this Union at the annual meeting of the
National Union to be held at Chicago, May, 1858, and a special meeting
was held April 24 for the purpose of acting upon the committee's report.
In accordance with the suggestion of Boston Union, in its reply, Mr. H.
W. Harrington, who had already been appointed a delegate from that
body, was authorized to act in a like capacity for Providence Union.
It was voted that $5 be sent to Boston Union to pay a portion of the
expenses of the delegate, the secretary of Boston Union, in his letter,
having suggested that amount as amply sufficient. It was also " voted
that $2 be sent to the National Union as the dues of this Union, although
the regular percentage would not amount to that sum."
Upon reaching Chicago Mr. Harrington evidently selected J. S.
Thompson of that city to represent Providence ; that gentleman's report
as delegate being read and ordered placed on file at the semi-annual
meeting, June 12, 1858, and the following resolution adopted:
"RESOLVED, That the thanks of this Union are due, and are hereby presented to
Mr. J. S. Thompson of Chicago for the very able manner in which he represented
this Union as its delegate in the late convention of the National Typographical Union,
and that the corresponding secretary be instructed to transmit the same with this
resolution."
A letter from Mr. Harrington was also read and ordered filed.
New Orleans Union was having its share of trouble at this time, as
a list of 15 expelled members was read at this meeting.
60 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
The meeting of the National Union evidently aroused the master
printers of Chicago to an effort to stem the tide of unionism and reduce
prices, as a communication setting forth these facts and requesting the
usual courtesies in such cases was received from Chicago Union.
July 10, 1858, a committee was appointed to ascertain if a suitable
room could be procured for the use of the Union, and the probable cost
of furnishing and maintaining the same. At the September meeting
the committee reported that a cheap and convenient room in the Granite
building could be had for $65 per annum, and recommended that the
same be immediately secured. The committee was directed to engage
the room forthwith. At the next meeting the committee made a
lengthy report, which showed that a bonus of $15 had to be paid to
secure the room because of an offer of other parties of that amount.
The expense for fittings amounted to $52.07. It was recommended that
a committee be appointed, whose duty it would be to keep up all neces-
sary supplies and see that every article was kept in a clean and neat
manner. It was also recommended that a vote of thanks be tendered
N. Bangs Williams for the gift of a table and picture, and resolutions
to that effect were adopted. The committee on the care of the room
was known as the Room Committee, and its reports during the Union's
occupancy of the same are interesting reading. Rules governing the use
of the room were adopted and rigidly enforced, and all expenses care-
fully itemized. The Union was notified previous to the expiration of
the lease that the rent of the room would be increased to $125 per
annum, and the committee was instructed to look about for a suitable
room for less money. September 10 the committee reported that a
room in Waterman block could be had for $75 per annum.
This room was not rented, however, as the October meeting was
held in Unity Hall, the committee stating that the hall had been engaged
for that meeting only. Further the committee says : " In accordance
with the decision of the Union not to retain the room lately occupied by
them, we have caused the effects of the Society to be removed and
stored in a place of safety and under the immediate supervision of the
President. The bracket upon which stood the bust of Franklin, and
the remainder of the coal in the box were disposed of and the money
received transferred to the treasurer." It was also stated that the
ante-room to Brown's Hall, sufficiently large for the use of the Union,
could be obtained, opened, warmed and lighted for $2 per night. The
committee was instructed to procure the ante-room for as long a time
as it deemed proper. The November meeting was held in that room,
and the committee reported that it had disposed of the stove for $6.00
and a spittoon for 33 cents.
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 61
The resolutions of thanks above referred to was couched as follows :
"RESOLVED, That the thanks of the Providence Typographical Union be hereby
tendered to N. Bangs Williams, Esq., for favors conferred upon it in furnishing its room."
To fully record the doings of the room committee would fill a book
Itself, so return will be made to the general story,
July 10, 1858, it was voted that delinquents be notified that unless
their indebtedness be cancelled forthwith they would be expelled. The
threat was made good at the August meeting by the expulsion of five
members for non-payment of dues.
An attempt was made at the July meeting to raise the dues from
25 cents to 50 cents, but the motion was negatived.
The matter was again considered at the September meeting. A
motion to lay on the table was lost; the main question was then put
and lost It was agreed that the subject should be considered an open
one that might be taken up at any future meeting. At the October
meeting the motion was lost, and at the November meeting the dues
were raised to 35 cents.
At the meeting held September 11, 1858, a communication was
received from a member notifying the Union that he no longer wished
to be considered a member. This proved to be a " celebrated case " long
drawn out. Opinion was divided as to the propriety of allowing a
member to withdraw while still employed at the business, although a
majority opposed the establishment of such a precedent. The argu-
ments advanced by the opponents of such a course were clearly
convincing, but the Union acted cautiously in the matter. A committee
was appointed to ascertain the reason for such action, and obtain, if
possible, a withdrawal of the communication. The gentleman, however,
refused to enlighten the committee, but later sent another communica-
tion to the Union setting forth as a reason that he could not obtain the
Union scale, and emphasizing his right to withdraw. The committee
having the matter in hand was instructed to reply, and the matter was
debated month after month, when the President of the National Union
was appealed to for a decision. That official referred the matter back
to the local Union for " adjudication," and after notifying the gentleman
of the Union's intended action and receiving a reply threatening legal
proceedings, he was expelled June 11, 1859. A motion to reconsider the
matter at the July, 1859, meeting was indefinitely postponed.
The secretary was instructed to notify the President of the National
Union and all sister Unions of the circumstances of the case and the
stand taken by Providence Union.
There seems to be no doubt that Providence Union was first to
establish the principle giving birth to the axiom : "Once a union man,
62 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
always a union man." And time has proved the wisdom of the action.
At that time, Boston Union allowed members to withdraw for the sole
purpose of working under the "scale," and the reply of the President of
the National Union warrants the belief that like action had not been
previously taken by any Union.
The discussion of the application for withdrawal overshadowed all
other business at the meetings of November, December, January and
February, but a vote passed at the March meeting to proceed to the
election of delegates to the National Union Convention seems to have
stemmed for a time the flow of oratory on that subject. It was voted
that the number of delegates be two, with the privilege of electing a
third at the next meeting.
For first delegate, the vote was a tie on the first, second and third
ballot, between Mr. Massie and Mr. Whelden. The President, not having
voted on the first two ballots, cast his vote for Mr. Whelden on the third
and that gentleman was declared elected.
For second delegate, William Foster, Jr., was elected on the third
ballot by a majority of two. At the April meeting Mr. Foster declined
serving as delegate and to fill the vacancy several ballots were taken
without a choice. A special meeting was held April 16 for the purpose
of electing a successor to Mr. Foster and to provide means to defray the
expenses of the delegates. Jabez Lord was elected as second delegate
and the membership assessed $1 each, payable on or before the 25th inst.
A communication from Robert C. Smith, President of the National
Union, was read at the October meeting, announcing the appointment
of Thomas J. Walsh as secretary and treasurer, vice George W. Smith,
resigned.
At the regular meeting held April 9, 1859, the standing committee
reported adversely upon the application for membership of an employing
printer. The report of the committee, in part, says:
"Notwithstanding the theory that every new member adds strength to the organ-
ization,* * * your committee is of the opinion that when this Union was established it was
the intention of its founders that it should consist solely of journeymen, for whose benefit
it was created. They are aware that this rule has not been carried out ; partly from
necessity, partly from choice: two members having been journeymen members at the
time they became employers and one employer having been elected by the requisite vote.
Your committee also believe that the presence of any considerable number of employing
printers at the deliberations of the Society would have a tendency to place a check upon
the true sentiments of its members, and it is more than probable that they might, at some
future time, on any important question, by the influence they would have with those in
their employ, hold the balance of power. Your committee see no good reason why any
more employers should be admitted as members."
A motion that the gentleman be admitted, notwithstanding the
adverse report, was lost, the vote being a tie.
May 14, the standing committee submitted another unfavorable
report upon the application of a printer giving Boston as last place of
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 63
employment The action of the committee in this case was determined
lay a letter received from A. W, Tebbitt, corresponding secretary of
Boston Union, The application was rejected.
It was at this meeting that resolutions were passed establishing the
principle that application for honorable withdrawal of journeymen mem-
bers could only be entertained from those having retired from the
business.
The resolutions were the preliminary steps taken to settle a matter
that had consumed much time and involved a great amount of corre-
spondence. At the meeting following, June 11, 1859, the incident was
closed by the expulsion of the member making the application, for non-
payment of dues.
The corresponding secretary was instructed to open correspondence
with the "Stick and Rule Club," an organization of printers in New
Haven. Mr. Whelden introduced the matter and appears to have been
anxious that it should be so recorded.
At the semi-annual meeting, Saturday, June 11, 1859, the recording
secretary, in his report, congratulates the Union upon a recent triumph
of union principles. W. N. Sherman, publisher of the Pendulum, the
report states, found it impossible to carry on business by " rat " power.
Every specie of the rodent had been tried, and he had personally
declared them worthless and unreliable, A union men was now em-
ployed by Mr. Sherman, who had stated that business had never before
progressed so satisfactorily. The secretary concluded his report as
follows :
" Let prudent and wise counsel rule our deliberations and each one act with an eye
sole and single to the interests of our organization and ere long the banner of victory
shall float on our battlements."
Jabez Lord was re-elected President at this meeting, but declined,
and Mr. George T. Arnold was elected.
" Mr. Lord, on retiring from the chair, made a neat speech," say
the records, " which was listened to with interest."
" Mr. Arnold also made a very good off-hand speech on taking the
chair, which was applauded throughout."
Mr. Lord, in behalf of the delegates who represented the Union at
the session of the National Union held in Boston, offered about " steen
sticks " of resolutions overflowing with appreciation of the treatment
accorded the delegates by Boston Union.
The three employing printers who were members of the Union
tendered their resignations at the July meeting, assigning as reasons
the report of the standing committee in re employing printers and the
Union's attitude toward that class as evidenced by the action taken at
64 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
the April meeting. The resignations were accepted and resolutions
were passed explanatory of this action.
The President appointed as chairmen of the different offices the
following :
Nelson Boyle Daily Tribune.
Albert A. Scott Daily Post.
Jabez Lord Evening Press.
P. H. Massie Daily Journal.
James A. Ward Tribune Job Office.
Stephen B. Potter Post Job Office.
Lewis L. M. Arnold Tillinghast's Job Office.
Fears, imagined or real, for the safety of the charter prompted the
presentation of the following :
"WHEREAS, Circumstances has led us to believe that we have enemies around us, and
that it becomes us to use all means to thwart their purposes, therefore
" RESOLVED, That the charter of this Union shall be given to the safe keeping of its
presiding officer, and by him, at the expiration of his term of office, shall be handed over
to his successor."
Amended by adding : "And he shall be answerable to the Union
for its safe keeping." Passed as amended.
While the precaution here taken served the purpose of preventing
the actual theft of the charter, still in 1867, eight years later, when in-
quiries were made as to its guardian it was traced to the possession of an
expelled member. It was returned to the Union, however, upon demand.
Before placing the charter in the hands of the President for safe
keeping the recording secretary was instructed to have the names of the
present (June, 1859) active members of the Union inscribed on the charter.
An item of expense in the treasurer's report attests that the secre-
tary attended to this order.
At the semi-annual meeting, Dec. 10, 1859, the treasurer, after
submitting an itemized account of receipts and expenditures, remarked :
"The treasurer is happy to be able to say that the Union, from a
financial point of view, is in a prosperous condition. One year ago to-
night, at the commencement of my duties, the sum total in the treasury
was $2.05. That sum has gradually increased to $41.60, the sum now
in my hands. I would suggest the propriety of depositing such part of
this money as the Union may think proper, (I would recommend $25,)
in some Savings Bank, as a foundation for a fund in case of need."
Officers were elected and President Cooley appointed as chairmen
of the different offices the following :
George T. Arnold
Albert A. Scott .
George H. Cranston
J. N. Thomas . .
J. A. Ward . . .
L. L. M. Arnold
Daily Journal.
Daily Post.
Evening Press.
Journal Job Office.
Post Job Office.
Tillinghast's Job Office.
M. W. Collins A. C. Greene's Job Office.
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 65
It was voted that the treasurer be instructed to deposit in his own
name, as treasurer of Providence Typographical Union, the sum of $30
(thirty dollars) in some suitable banking institution.
At the meeting January 14, 1860, there was a general weeding out
of delinquent members, ample notice and sufficient time having been
given to all to square up.
The secretary was instructed at the February meeting to look over
the records and find a resolution in relation to "subbing;" that it be
read at the next meeting, and that the Union now abide by the same.
The secretary stated at the March meeting that he had searched the
records and was unable to find any resolution relating to "subs" or
"subbing."
The fact is that while no resolution appears in the minutes the
matter of "subs" and "subbing" was discussed at the November (1857)
meeting, as previously noted in these pages.
A special meeting was called February 25, 1860, " to take into con-
sideration the propriety of allowing a ' rat ' to work on the Providence
Daily Post."
Upon the subject the Union went into committee of the whole, and
upon arising, resolutions were adopted criticising those members who
had remained at work after one of their number had resigned his
situation rather than work with a " rat," and hoping that their actions
in a like case in the future would be such as to merit confidence and
dispel suspicion.
March 10, 1860, the inquiry committee reported, without recom-
mendation, the application for membership of a journeyman pressman,
and upon motion the question of admitting the applicant was indefinitely
postponed.
Action was based upon the resolution previously adopted in regard
to pressmen.
It was voted that hereafter the secretary be required to only notify
the chairmen of the different offices of the time of holding regular
meetings, instead of sending printed notices to individual members, and
to act according to his own discretion in regard to special meetings.
A special committee appointed at this meeting, to ascertain whether
the means could be obtained to send a delegate to Nashville, made a
lengthy report at the April meeting, which showed that $59 had been
raised by subscription. It further stated that from reliable information
it was believed that the expenses of a delegate would amount to $100.
The amount subscribed not being in itself sufficient, three ways were
suggested to meet the emergency:
66 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
" 1st. To assess each member an amount sufficient to pay the whole expense and
return the money already subscribed.
"2d. To draw from the treasury an amount which, added to that subscribed, would
equal the amount desired.
"3d. To elect some member as delegate who stands fair before the Union, who will
accept the amount subscribed as an equivalent for the expense of his journey, loss of
time, etc., if such member can be found."
The committee did not, however, approve of drawing upon the
treasury.
After a thorough discussion of the matter the committee was ordered
to refund to the subscribers the money collected, and the question of
electing a delegate was indefinitely postponed.
A resolution reducing the monthly dues to 25 cents was laid on the
table, and the following resolution was laid over until the next meeting
and at that meeting indefinitely postponed.
"RESOLVED, That on and after .... the Providence Typographical Union claims
no jurisdiction over book and job printers."
The semi-annual report of the treasurer, June 9, 1860, showed a
balance in the treasury of $73.55.
July 14 the corresponding secretary read a prospectus for reprinting
the records of the National Typographical Union from its formation to
that time. It was voted "that the Union approve of the undertaking
and recommend the work to the members of the craft."
An honorary list was established at this meeting by the adoption
of the following :
" WHEREAS, Members of Providence Typographical Union having ceased active con-
nection with the business, but still desiring to maintain their connection with the society,
and as it is for the interest of this Union to retain the good wishes and sympathy of all
members of the craft, therefore,
"RESOLVED, That such members desiring to continue their connection with the
Union be, and they are hereby constituted honorary members."
It was evidently a hard proposition to maintain the " scale " in the
book and job offices during these times. Time and again reports were
made by chairmen that different members were suspected of working
under price, but investigation usually failed to prove the charges because
the members' own word was about the only evidence available, and but
two members so charged pleaded guilty. This condition of affairs prob-
ably prompted the submission of the resolution relinquishing control of
book and job printers at a former meeting, and may have been responsible
also for the following, offered at the September meeting :
" RESOLVED, That Union men be allowed to work in job offices, provided they shall
not work for a less sum than eight dollars per week."
The resolution was indefinitely postponed.
At this same meeting (September 8, I860,) the chairman of the Daily
Post in his report, revealed a condition in that office inimical to estab-
lished Union principles. He stated that the " ads " were being set in the
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 67
Post job office, and wished to know what action the chapel should take
in the matter.
A lively discussion was precipitated by the announcement, and a
motion that the Union go into committee of the whole was carried.
After arising the following resolution was adopted :
"RESOLVED, That the hands in the Post newspaper office refuse to work any longer
unless the advertisements be restored to that office, and that Mr. be ordered to discon-
tinue work on the same ; and if their request is not acceded to, they shall all strike."
It is believed the strike was inaugurated Monday, September 10, 1860,
for the reason that a special meeting was called Tuesday, September 11,
to consider the matter. It was voted at this meeting to go into committee
of the whole and to allow Mr. Webster, editor of the Post, to take part
in the proceedings. After a lengthy discussion, participated in by Mr.
Webster and several of the members, the committee arose. Previous
to withdrawing, Mr. Webster stated that Mr. Simons was perfectly
willing to pay 28 cents per 1000 ems for the ads, provided the regular
hands were able to set the matter.
This statement resulted in the appointment of a committee to confer
with the publishers of the Post, and they reported at a special meeting
held September 16, that the only hitch in a settlement of the difficulty was
the refusal of the publishers to re-employ two of the members who had
participated in the strike.
The Union then refused to consider a settlement under any condition
except the return of every man involved, and another meeting was
called for September 17. Little can be gleaned from the minutes of that
date as to the status of the strike. Charges which had been preferred at
the previous meeting against the foreman of the Post job office were
at this meeting sustained, although the accused submitted the opinion
of Mr. Madigan, a vice-president of the National Union, that such action
could not be taken by a local Union for the reasons assigned.
The vice-president tendered his resignation at this meeting and
travelling cards were granted to Messrs. Lord, Barbour and Kelly.
Evidence that the strike had been adjusted is found in the minutes
of October 13, by the appointment of Mr. Willcox as chairman of the
Post for the remainder of the term.
That proved to be the last echo of the first strike authorized by
Providence Typographical Union and, as far as can be determined
from the books, the Union was the victor.
February 9, 1861, it was 'moved that the recording secretary be
authorized to purchase a new record book, the expense not to exceed
one dollar and a half.
The records state that there was some debate on the subject, in
which Messrs. Whelden, G. T. Arnold, Massie, G. H. Cranston and
Willcox participated. The motion was finally adopted.
68 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
At the meeting held March 9, 1861, a proposition to send two dele-
gates to the National Union convention was carried, and it was voted
that the election be held at the next regular meeting. At the April
meeting the President read the circular of the National Union President
in regard to the convention, and the election of the delegates was taken
up. For first delegate there were six candidates. Israel Amsbury
received a majority of the votes on the first ballot and he was declared
elected. After the first ballot, with no choice for second delegate, it was
voted that, providing there was no choice after three ballots had been
taken, all candidates but the two standing the highest on that ballot be
withdrawn. There were six candidates on the first ballot and seven
candidates on the second ballot. Peter A. McDonald received a majority
on the third ballot and, on motion, was declared the unanimous choice.
May 11 the President announced that the session of the National Union
had been postponed without day. It was voted to reimburse the Pres-
ident for the expense of telegraphing in regard to the meeting.
Nothing of importance transpired for several months, in fact nothing
but matters of a routine nature is recorded for a full year, when in
April, 1862, the corresponding secretary read a letter from the President
of the National Union in relation to the session of that body, which he
had called to assemble in New York on the first Monday in May. There
was also read at the same meeting a letter from the New York Union
(the "Famous Circular") discouraging a meeting of the National Union
at that time and citing reasons for its opposition.
It was voted that in event of the session being held, the delegates
elected to represent Providence at the session which had been postponed
be authorized to act at the coming session.
A special meeting was held April 26, to take further action in regard
to representation at the convention. The delegates were "instructed to
urge that the per capita tax of 25 cents per member is due for one year
only," and to inquire into the expediency of biennial sessions of that body.
At the May meeting a committee was appointed to receive and
entertain the Boston delegates returning to their homes from the con-
vention, providing stop was made at this city.
The delegates to the National Convention made report at the June
meeting as follows:
"To THE OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF THE PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION:
"GENTLEMEN — Your delegates appointed to represent this Union in the National
Typographical Union at its Tenth Session holden in New York, in May, 1862, beg leave
respectfully to submit the following as their report:
"The National Convention met in the Council Chamber of the City Hall on Monday,
May 5th, at 10 o'clock. The delegates were called to order at about 11 o'clock by Pres-
ident Farquhar, who made a brief address congratulating the convention on so large a
representation in these troublesome times, and expressed the hope that at the next annual
MICHAEL B.MARTIN. JOSEPH D. HAL.U .JR. EDGAR 0. BEACH AM
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 69
meeting he would see all the Unions — North and South — represented. He regretted in
strong terms the occurrence pf events which have interrupted its harmony and deliber-
ations the past year.
" Sam Slawson of St. Louis, Corote of New York, and John Gorman of Boston, were
appointed a committee on credentials, who subsequently reported thirty-three delegates
from nineteen Unions in attendance,
"Sam Slawson rose to a question of privilege. He wished the President to decide
whether any delegate could vote, if objections were taken, if the Union he represented
had not paid but one year's per capita tax. The President declined to decide this question
and referred it to the convention for action. This elicited a sharp discussion. It was,
however, finally decided, by a vote of 22 to 6, that the per capita tax for 1862 must be
paid and that for 1861 remitted.
"On Tuesday the election of officers for the year ensuing took place with the
following result:
"President — John M. Farquhar of Chicago; First Vice-President — William A. Mont-
gomery of Boston; Second Vice-President — J. H. Walker of Chicago; Secretary and
Treasurer — Thomas J. Walsh of New York; Corresponding Secretary — Theodore Nagle
of St. Louis.
" The report of the Secretary and Treasurer was submitted and read by Mr. Walsh.
It states the receipts of the National Union to have been for the past two years, (the
session of 1861 having been omitted,) $662.87; the expenditures, $598.33; the balance on
hand May 30, 1862, $74.54. It further states that the Troy (N. Y.) Union disbanded
on the eighth of February, 1862, finding that the pressure of the times made the purpose
of their organization impracticable. A large amount of correspondence had passed between
the National Union and the subordinates, chiefly growing out of the national difficulties,
of an unhappy but now uninteresting character. Letters to similar organizations in the
British Provinces, proposing co-operation with this National Union, had been sent but no
answers as yet had been received. On the Canadian frontier our subordinate Unions had
exchanged fraternal intercourse with those of Canada, where their principles were nearly
the same, but no general arrangement of exchange had been made.
"At the commencement of the afternoon session, a long and protracted discussion
ensued on a proposition of Mr. Slawson of St. Louis, to have the name of George McKay
Luken placed on the roll of permanent membership of the National Union. It appeared
that he belongs in Memphis, Tenn., and that he was the last authorized delegate from
the subordinate Union there in 1861, and was prevented from taking his seat by the post-
ponement of the National session of that year. Mr. Slawson said he intended it merely
as a compliment to the gentleman named without claiming it as a right. Mr. Walker of
Detroit wished to ascertain whether Mr. Luken was loyal to the government of the United
States before he was compelled to vote on the proposition. On this point an animated
discussion ensued. The prevailing sentiment, however, was that they had better avoid
all description of sectional difficulties. The name was ordered on the roll by a vote of
19 for and 8 against.
"On Wednesday morning, President Farquhar presented his annual report. It was
a very able document, reviewing the growth and prosperity of the National organ-
ization from the commencement to the present time, and embracing all the points of
interest that had come under his observation respecting the subordinate Unions. He had
granted charters for several new Unions, and represented most of the Unions in the loyal
States in a healthy condition. He animadverted in severe terms on the course taken by
the officers of this body on the postponement of the National session last year, and
censured the course taken by the New York Union in issuing its famous circular and
endeavoring to postpone the present session. These points he handled with boldness,
and expressed his opinions with characteristic independence.
" This report was referred to a special committee.
"The President announced the standing committees. Providence Union was rep-
resented— one on the 'committee on appeals,' and one on the ' committee on unfinished
business.'
"The special committee on the 'President's Annual Report' reported a resolution
censuring the officers of the National Union of 1861 for postponing the session of that
year, stating that their action was 'unnecessary and ill-advised.'
"This resolution met with violent opposition, and occupied most of the day in its
discussion. The New York delegates showed most conclusively that it was not only
necessary but eminently proper to postpone, as the city was in an uproar on account of
70 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
the rebellion — that the streets were full of soldiers recruiting and departing for the
war — that business of all kinds was suspended — and that the convention would, most
probably, have been mobbed had a Southern delegate with Southern sentiments been
present, such was the excited state of the public mind. The objectionable features of the
resolution were stricken out and the resolution adopted by a large vote.
"The committee on unfinished business reported a resolution which was laid over
from 1860, recommending the per capita tax of 25 cents be reduced to 10 cents on
every member without regard to his standing. This resolution drew forth a lengthy
discussion. It was contended that a small tax on every member, instead of a larger one
on those only who were in good standing, would be more equal and practical in its results.
An effort was made to go back to the old system of per cent, on the receipts. This propo-
sition met with opposition on the ground of inequality, as St. Louis and other Western
Unions paid 50 cents per month, while Philadelphia and some other Unions paid only
10 cents per month,
"The resolution was finally laid over until the next session of the National Union,
owing to the low state of its finances.
" On Thursday we held but one session, as the City Council met in the afternoon
in the chamber where we held our meeting.
"Several resolutions were offered and adopted, in reference to the practical workings
of the craft.
"One, offered by Mr. Adams, abolishing, as far as practicable, departments in offices.
"Another, offered by Mr. Nagle, recommending that the Union located nearest to a
town having no Union, but employing ten journeymen printers, to enter into a corre-
spondence with said journeymen in reference to the establishment of a Union with them.
"Another, recommending that apprentices be admitted to Unions on the fifth or last
year of their apprenticeship— without being taxed, or the privilege of voting. This last
met with opposition as some offices discarded apprentices altogether.
"Friday's proceedings were mostly of a general character.
"Daniel W. Flynn offered a resolution giving the President discretionary power in
assembling the National Union. Laid over to the next session.
"Your delegate offered a resolution, which was laid over, altering the Constitution so
that there shall be a biennial session instead of a yearly one.
"Ex-President Smith offered a resolution, which was adopted, condemning the practice
of giving banquets and other entertainments to the National Union as detrimental to
the best interests of the organization. It was stated that when the National Union met
at New Orleans, the Union there spent $1,500 in entertaining the National body, con-
sisting of thirteen delegates; and the New York Union had raised and appropriated
$7,000 for the same purpose last year had the convention been held.
"Only one case was referred to the committee on appeals. This was presented by
Mr. Nagle of St. Louis. A member from the Nashville Union presented a card from that
Union to the St. Louis Union, headed 'Confederate States of America,' and without the
official signatures of the President or Secretary of the National Typographical Union.
The President of the St. Louis Union — Mr. S. Slawson — refused to receive it. On this
decision the member from Nashville appealed, stating that this was the only card he could
procure, and claiming that it was sufficient evidence that he was a Union member in good
standing where he last worked.
"The committee on appeals recommended that the decision of the President of the
St. Louis Union be sustained, which recommendation was unanimously adopted after
a debate.
"Cleveland, Ohio, was selected as the place for holding the next session. The vote
on the second ballot was nearly divided between that place and Detroit. St. Louis was
preferred by many, but her delegates thought it too soon to hold a session there. They
preferred to wait until the Southern Unions were in a position to return to the National
"The name of J. S. Thompson was added to the roll of 'Permanent Members' as a
representative from Providence Union, No. 33.
"A vote was passed authorizing the secretary to print 1500 copies of the proceedings
.of this convention and circulate them among the various Unions.
"A committee was appointed who subsequently reported resolutions appreciative of
the sentiments of the convention toward the New York Union and citizens for the
numerous courtesies extended to them.
"In presenting the above, your delegates have only touched upon some of the most
important points that were brought before the convention for consideration. They would
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 71
refer you to the official minutes, when published, for a more detailed account of its
deliberations.
"There were many gratifying incidents connected with our visit to the Island City,
and our social intercourse with the members of the New York Union. The ride to Central
Park and High Bridge, on Sunday— the visit to the Brooklyn Navy Yard and the receiving
ship North Carolina — the moral and instructive lessons we learned in examining the
different corrective institutions and hospitals on BlackwelPs Island— the intellectual and
musical treat at the rooms of the Franklin Typographical Society— the patriotic and
cheering address of Hon. Horace Greeley and others on that occasion— the ride out to,
and the feast and social festivities at Bay View on Long Island — the dramatic entertain-
ments at Niblo's Winter Gardens, and other theatres. These, and numerous other civilities,
we can appreciate, but words entirely fail to express the feelings of our grateful hearts
toward our New York brethren for so many distinguished attentions shown us, and their
unceasing efforts to make our leisure hours pleasant. A complete overflow of all the
elements of kindness were showered upon us. Their magnanimity of soul and generosity
of feeling were unbounded.
" Your delegates would also here take occasion to express their heartfelt thanks to
their brother members of Providence Union for the honor conferred upon them in being
privileged to represent their cause in so honorable and intelligent a body. The generous
confidence you thus reposed in us we shall cherish as long as we have an existence. To
each individual member of this Union we extend the salutation of fraternal peace, pros-
perity and happiness; and, in conclusion, we say, in the language of another — 'Surely,
your God is our God — your faith our faith — your joy our joy — your prosperity our satis-
faction.' Then let us unitedly work together for the preservation and perpetuity of a
common inheritance. It may be, thereby we can maintain the position which other and
older Unions hold in helping forward the great objects for which we are organized.
"Respectfully yours,
" I. AMSBURY,
"P. A. MCDONALD."
Several members of the Union who had enlisted without taking the
steps necessary to obviate the accumulation of dues and consequent
expulsion were protected by the passage of the following resolution at
the meeting of October 11, 1862:
"RESOLVED, That the dues of all members who are in the service of the United States
be remitted until their safe return."
February 14, 1863, Mr. Massie offered the following:
"WHEREAS, Mr. Charles W. Felt, now of this city, has manifested a desire to come
before this Union and give a lecture upon his system of 'combination type,' therefore,
"RESOLVED, That this Union cordially invite Mr. Felt, et als., to come before this
Union and deliver a lecture on the subject of 'combination type' and the benefits to be
derived therefrom, on Saturday, February 28."
Had Mr. Massie been more discreet in the phrasing of his resolution
chances are that favorable action would have been taken. One super-
fluous word in the resolved paragraph offended the fine feelings of
Mr. Lord, giving as he thought, a patronizing aspect to the affair, and
to that he objected. He moved to amend by striking out the word
"cordially." The discussion thereby started consumed time and ended
in the indefinite postponement of the resolution.
Just what combination type was cannot be stated, but is supposed
to have been "logotypes" of words most frequently used.
March 14 the secretary was instructed to notify members that an
election for delegate would be held at the next meeting.
72 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
A committee was appointed to revise the " Scale of Prices," and
instructed to draw up a schedule similar to that of the Boston Union, a
copy of which was submitted. In its report the committee explained
the changes from the existing rates as follows :
"On morning papers the advance is from 28 cents to 30 cents, two cents behind our
sister Union of Boston ; evening papers in the same ratio, 25 cents to 27 cents, which is
three cents less than Boston rates ; weekly work on morning papers has been increased
two dollars per week, but the ratio has been preserved by making the hours of labor
twelve hours per day ; evening newspaper work, done by the week or hour, to be governed
by the hours and prices of job work. In the book and job scale the price of labor per week
has been put up one dollar, making it read $11, instead of $10 per week, hour work from
17 and 20 cents to 20 and 25 cents for day and over work. Book work by the piece
27 cents."
To the foregoing the committee added :
"Your committee hopes the Union will give this matter, which interests vitally, not
only the members now, but all who may come on the stage hereafter, grave and careful
consideration. Attention is called to the fact that all classes of the laboring or producing
population are demanding and receiving an increase of wages.* * * They would also impress
on the Union the necessity of united action as the only means of securing this very desir-
able object. It is the only course. Therefore, we urge upon the members to express
themselves; express their ideas freely, calmly, and to the point, so that there will be no
uncertainty as to the means and as to the result."
Upon motion a committee of nine (six appointed by the chair and
three elected from the floor) was instructed to draft a memorial for
presentation to employers. Messrs. Massie, Whelden, McDonald, Lord,
Potter, Amsbury, G. T. Arnold, Thompson and Barbour comprised the
committee.
May 9, 1863, the committee submitted the following as the result
of their labors and the same was accepted :
"GENTLEMEN — Under existing circumstances, produced by this rebellion, which has
so reduced the value of the currency of this country, enhanced the price of every article
of necessity in life, and which has caused a proportionate advance in the rates of all other
kinds of labor, your employes, in justice to themselves, respectfully ask an advance in the
price of their labor. They would ask you to compare the wages of the printer with those
of any other mechanic — even the laborer upon the wharf receiving 25 cents per hour —
feeling confident you will find none requiring the same amount of brain who is so inad-
equately compensated.
" In thus calling your attention to this subject they profess to be actuated only by
motives of necessity, past and present experience being their prompter. They consider it
unnecessary here to enter into a detailed account of the many obstacles which they are called
upon, from time to time, to surmount with the present inadequate return for their labor,
feeling confident that their employers, after having their attention called to the subject,
will readily and cheerfully admit the fairness and justice of it.
"If any argument were necessary, they deem it sufficient simply to point to the fact
that in Boston and New York, and elsewhere, where the prices of labor among their craft
have always been over ten per cent, more than in Providence, and where, within a few
months, they have again been advanced in a like ratio, and that, too, in cities where the
necessaries of life are at least ten per cent, less than they are in this city. And this
increase is not confined to printers alone. Nearly every, if not all branches of business
have found it necessary to advance the reward of labor. In some instances it has been
given without asking, and in others simply by asking.
"With these facts staring them in the face, and experience convincing them that
their compensation must be increased or their troubles aggravated, they feel that they
are doing no more than they should expect were they in your position under like circum-
stances.
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 73
"As members of the Providence Typographical Union, an institution that has labored
for the past six years to bring the trade to perfection in this city, they are aware that it
may become necessary for you, in granting their request, to make a proportionate advance
in your own rates of subscription, advertising and jobbing. Under these circumstances,
knowing that the interests of the employer and employe are indentical, they are ready
and most willing to co-operate with you in any manner which you may deem best to
secure this end.
" Trusting that the above suggestions will meet with your approval, which you will
please make known at the end of this financial week, they remain,
" Most respectfully,
(Employes' signatures.)
"For the committee
"P. A. MCDONALD, Secretary." "P. H. MASSIE, Chairman."
It was voted to head the memorial "To our Employers," the same
to be presented to the proprietors of the different offices by the chair-
men thereof, together with those portions of the "Scale" applicable to
each. The date and hour for presentation was fixed for Monday, May 11,
between the hours of 12 and 1 o'clock. The meeting then adjourned to
meet again May 16, at 5:30 P. M.
This meeting was called to order at the appointed time, and the
following communications in reply to the memorial were read :
" OFFICE OF THE EVENING PRESS,
"No. 16 WEYBOSSET STREET,
"PROVIDENCE, MAY 11, 1863.
"GENTLEMEN — Your communication of this date asking an increase of the rates of
compensation has been received and considered. The subject to which it relates has had
our consideration previously, as we are not unmindful of the just claims of our employes,
and are not insensible to the reasons why they should receive higher prices for their labor
than have been paid heretofore.
" Situated as we have been since the very serious rise in the price of paper, accom-
panied by heavier expenses of publication in other respects, we cannot really afford to add
anything to the rates now paid you.
"But we do not think of refusing your very reasonable request. We may have to
retrench in the amount of work done, but shall cheerfully agree to give the new prices
for whatever work is still to be done.
"We are not without hope, however, that business affairs will take such a turn that
we may be able to meet the increased expense without diminishing the amount of labor
performed in our establishment.
" With continued wishes for the prosperity and happiness of each and all of you, we
are, gentlemen,
"Yours very truly,
"CooKE, JACKSON & Co."
The above letter was addressed to the members of the Press chapel
and submitted to the Union by the chairman of that office. The docu-
ment was ordered to be placed on file.
Mr. Scott, chairman of the office of the Post, made report as follows,
which was accepted and ordered filed :
"To PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION:
"GENTLEMEN — I have the pleasure of reporting, on behalf of the office of the Provi-
dence Daily Post, that the proprietor thereof has freely acknowledged the justice of and
acceeded to the request of the employes in said office for the proposed advance of wages.
"A. A. SCOTT,
"Chairman P. D. P."
74 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
Mr. Barbour, chairman of Journal office, presented the following
reply to the memorial :
"To MESSRS. GEORGE T. ARNOLD, GEORGE WHELDEN AND OTHERS, COMPOSITORS ON THE
JOURNAL:
"GENTLEMEN — The publishers of the Journal are in receipt of a communication,
evidently not originating with you, but bearing your names, asking an advance in the
price of your labor, and presenting a 'Scale of Prices as reported by the committee on
revision.' The enhanced price of living, and the advance in the rates of other prices of
labor, are urged as reasons why the wages of our employes should be increased.
"The publishers of the Journal desire to maintain the most amicable relations and
complete understanding with the men in their employ. They desire to treat them not
merely with justice, but with liberality. They desire that the workmen shall take pride
in the office, and the office be proud of the workmen. They would not withhold from the
laborer his hire, nor interpose an obstacle in the way of his advancement.
" But it is proper, before acting definitely upon this memorial, that clearly is the
result of a view of the question from one standpoint alone, that the other side should be
presented to your consideration, with the not improbable consequences of impulsive action
in the premises, at such an unprecedented time as the present.
"In the first place are you not in error in speaking of the 'reduced currency of the
country ? ' The fact that the precious metals temporarily command a fluctuating premium
hardly warrant the assumption that we have a depreciated currency; and the man who
pays his three years' note maturing at this time finds his dollar of no less value now than
when he received the loan. By comparing our price current of family marketing with
that published three years ago, you will doubtless be struck with the remarkable similarity
of prices, affording evidence alike that the rebellion has not reduced the currency, and has
not ' enhanced the price of every article of necessity in life.' House rent, moreover, is no
higher now than then, and so with various other items that enter into the family expense
account. The grocer and the clothier, from causes which we all hope cannot be of long
continuance, are enabled to demand increased prices, thereby bringing home to each of
us the realities of the war, and prompting us te labor and hope for a swift succession of
victories that shall restore to our country the blessings of peace.
"You allude to the advance in the wages of other kinds of labor. That to a very
considerable extent is so. The draft of men for the army has so reduced the general
labor supply that wages have increased. When the army is disbanded, the increased
supply of labor will, by the same law, have a tendency to reduce the price perhaps even
below the former standard. These fluctuations ought not to govern to any extent the
compensation of newspaper printers. Their labor is interrupted by no changes in business
prosperity. Whether times are good or bad, whether the publisher reaps any reward for
his labor, experience and invested capital or not, the employes of the established news-
paper have continuous employment and an unabated stipend. A significant illustration
of this is found in our own experience. In a single item of our expenditures the present
increase, as compared with last September, amounts to about $9000 per annum. Yet this
enormous addition to our expenses, which it is entirely impracticable to meet by any
advance in our rates of business, has not affected you, notwithstanding the fact that the
labor bills presented almost the only salient points for the application of increased
economy. The manufacturer pays treble price for his new material and receives treble
price for his goods. The employing carpenter, if need be, can advance the wages of his
men when there is increased demand for labor, for he charges it in his bill of work. But
newspaper rates of subscription and advertising are a fixed part of its good will, and
cannot be advanced and reduced to suit the exigencies of the times. The few papers that
have survived the attempt in this crisis are returning to their former rates, thus con-
firming the view that must commend itself to the sound judgment of every reflecting
man in the business.
"Under these circumstances would it not be well to consider whether there is not a
possibility — to quote from a familiar fable — of killing the goose that lays the golden egg.
Assuming that the income of subscription newspapers is fixed and cannot be suddenly
increased at will, and that the unprecedented expenditures now imposed upon such estab-
lishments has rendered them unprofitable, and in many cases burdensome to their pub-
lishers, is it wise for the journeymen to enter into a combination that will have the effect
to close entirely some fields of labor, and to impose additional burdens upon others,
resulting in the end in throwing many workmen out of employment and reducing the
prices to a figure much below that now ungrudgingly paid. There is no other kind of
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 75
business as precarious at the present time as the publishing of newspapers, and another
year of war will doubtless reduce their number so much that men will be careful to retain
any situations that will afford them a weekly compensation of $16.37, the average of your
pay roll for the last week. Aside from the increased expense at a time when an increase
of expenses is most to be avoided, some inconvenience would result to both parties from
a compliance with your request. We are informed, not unfortunately by your memorial,
that the ' committee on revision ' fixed the price for evening papers at 27 cents per
thousand ems, one cent less than the price we are now paying. Should we be compelled
to submit our business temporarily to outside government, the composition on the Evening
Bulletin would be done by a different set of hands employed for the purpose and paid by
the evening schedule, or by the week. We should also be compelled to introduce appren-
tices into the office — a course that we have set our face against heretofore, very much to
our pecuniary disadvantage. We are not desirous of commencing the practice, and shall
be driven to it only by necessity. The proposed arrangements relative to the Bulletin
and apprentices, would enable us to pay to such men as we retain the price asked without
materially increasing the burdens of the office. But it is questionable if the plan would
offer many advantages. The publishers of the Journal ask for these statements your
careful consideration. They are submitted to you, and not to parties with whom we have
no business relations.
"We cannot avoid the impression that the proper 'committee on revision' of the
prices paid at the Journal office, include only yourselves and ourselves. We should be
loth to make that a condition of giving employment, but we may be compelled to do so.
If, in view of all the circumstances, you feel inclined to demand the increased compen-
sation, we must say that until other expenses are abated we cannot increase the com-
position bills. If the rate is higher a reduction must be made elsewhere.
" Trusting that you will see how untimely is your present movement, and that in this
business the burdens of the war cannot be borne by the employers alone, we subscribe
ourselves, "Yours very respectfully,
" KNOWLES, ANTHONY & DANIELSON."
After the reading of the above, Mr. Barbour stated that the proprie-
tors of the Journal wished one week more in which to consider the
matter, when, if they concluded to pay the advanced rates, it would be
paid for the week ending May 23. It was then voted to give Messrs.
Knowles, Anthony & Danielson one week in which to act.
A resolution expressing the thanks of the Union to the publishers
of the Press and Post for their expressed willingness to pay the revised
scale, the same to be published in the city papers Monday, May 25, was
adopted.
Mr. Lord then offered the following which was adopted :
"RESOLVED, That the Providence Typographical Union guarantee to such members
as may be thrown out of employment by the insistance upon the present scale all the
support, by means and money, it is in their power to give."
Receipts $1. Adjourned to May 23.
At the adjourned meeting held May 23, Mr. Barbour presented the
following which was accepted and placed on file :
"PROVIDENCE, May 23.
" To THE MEMBERS OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION :
"GENTLEMEN — In behalf of the employes on the Journal, I am happy to report that
the advanced price for composition was paid this morning for the work done this current
week; and would thank the Union for their very generous action in allowing them one
week extra time before taking final action in the matter.
"Respectfully submitted,
"WILLIAM H. BARBOUR,
"Chairman Journal Office."
76 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
The resolution relating to the publication of a card passed at the
previous meeting was reconsidered, and a motion that no card be pub-
lished was adopted.
A committee appointed at the June meeting to endeavor to induce
those journeymen employed in job offices, who were not then members
of the Union, to join, reported at the July meeting that nothing could
be accomplished in the premises.
The report focused the limelight very strongly upon the handful of
members from that branch of the business, and the virtue of their
membership was greatly magnified thereby. One admirer of these true
exponents of the " Union spirit " proposed the thanks of the Union " to
the gallant few of the job branch ; " also providing for exemption of
dues and a place on the honorary list.
Probably because of precedent established in re withdrawal of
members, when still employed at the printing business, the matter was
laid on the table.
A resolution of welcome to our typographical friends of the llth
R. I. Regiment who had returned safely, was passed.
A communication from P. H. Massie, chairman of the Journal office,
resigning that office, was read, as was also a communication from the
same gentleman resigning his membership in the society because of
having left the business.
On motion of Mr. Barbour, Mr. Massie's name was transferred to
the honorary list.
The same action was taken in regard to P. H. McDonald at the
December meeting, that gentleman having left the printing business.
At the meeting held October 10, 1863, the recording secretary
tendered his resignation, for the reason that his duties required him to
visit each office the week previous to a meeting, and that on his last
visit to the Journal office he had been met by G. W. Danielson and
told never to enter the office again. The resignation was laid over one
month, and then laid on the table, Mr. Lord, the secretary, completing
his term of office.
November 14 a communication was read in which a member charged
that the Union was controlled by a certain few for certain purposes, and
expressed the desire to be no longer considered a member. The com-
munication was laid on the table. One month later the same member
was elected door-keeper.
An informal ballot was usually taken, previous to an election, for
all important offices, and at the semi-annual meeting, December 12, 1863,
the gentleman having a majority for President on the informal ballot
did not receive one vote on the formal ballot. The candidate may have
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 77
been satisfied with the expression of confidence accorded by the informal
vote and declined an election, but it's funny reading without an ex-
planation.
About this time there seems to have been an awakening among the
book and job printers of the city. Their activities were directed towards
forming an organization of their own class. Members of the Union
regarded the movement as an attempt to break up their organization,
and resolutions were adopted denouncing the promoters and calling upon
all good Union men to thwart and arrest such "malicious mischief," and
to perpetuate and strengthen the bonds of unity. To attain results in
harmony with the tenor of the resolution, a committee of five was
appointed to visit personally every journeyman printer and pressman
(pressmen were previously rejected) now working in the city, or to meet
a committee from them, or to meet them in a body, as the said com-
mittee might think proper, and urge upon them the importance of
joining the older organization.
This committee reported January 9, 1864, that they had called a
meeting January 5, to which all interested had been invited, and that
four men from the Journal job office and a boy from Greene's had
attended. No definite action had been taken because of the slim at-
tendance. It was recommended that the matter be further agitated.
Meanwhile the "branch" had been busy; had actually organized,
and January 16, 1864, a special meeting of the Union was called for the
purpose of taking action upon a communication from " The Providence
Book and Job Printers' Association." The communication explained
that the "Association" was about to demand $1 more per week than that
set forth in the Union scale, and desired that the Union guarantee that
its members would not interfere in their attempt to obtain a higher rate.
After the reading of the communication, Mr. Willcox waxed indig-
nant and moved that the Union have nothing whatever to do with the
matter. That motion was negatived.
The biting sarcasm of the communication was apparent and the
indignation of Mr. Willcox justified, but his motion was too peremptory.
Contemptuous silence on this subject might be misconstrued.
Mr. Lord, the records of the Union show, was always ready to
inject "whereases" whenever needed, and on this occasion he sustained
his reputation by contributing several, followed by a series of " resolveds."
Separately or collectively, they form a complete answer to the com-
munication. We quote one " resolved " in full :
"RESOLVED, That the character, history and associations of the Providence Typo-
graphical Union are, and ought to be, a sufficient guarantee to the said printers or
association of printers that no member thereof would interfere with them in their laudable
efforts for an adequate compensation for their labor."
78 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
Whatever success the "Association " may have had, of course, is
not recorded in the Union's books.
At the meeting on January 9 reference was made to a strike in
New Haven, and the formation of a Union at Portland, Me., was an-
nounced.
That the "Association " might not have anything on the Union, a
proposition for an advance in the scale was offered at the February
meeting, and was referred to a committee, one from each office, for
consideration. It was proposed to not only raise the job scale, but to
considerably advance the newspaper prices. Under the new schedule
35 cents per 1000 ems was to be demanded. The committee to whom
the matter was referred made no report at the March meeting, but the
proposition was taken up, discussed and adopted. The chairmen of the
different offices were then instructed to present the same to their
employers, and the meeting adjourned till March 19. On that date a
communication from the publishers of the Evening Press agreeing to
pay the new scale was read. Mr. Lord replied verbally for the pro-
prietors of the Daily Post, stating that they were unable to pay 35 cents,
but would willingly pay 33 1-3 cents. The vote adopting the new scale
was reconsidered, and amendment offered and adopted making the price
33 1-3 cents.
A letter from Jethro T. Briggs was read and disposed of in a
manner unlike that of any previously or subsequently recorded. After
a motion to return the letter to its sender was negatived, Volney Austin
moved that the document be consigned to the flames ; carried.
At the adjourned meeting of March 19, 1864, Mr. Austin stated that
he had taken the responsibility of having an engraving of a " rat " made
for the use of the society, believing that there was some probability of
its being called into use in the near future.
Mr. Haven moved, and it was voted " that the action of Mr. Austin,
relative to the aforesaid quadruped, be sanctioned by the society and
that the bill of Mr. Hoyt be paid." Mr. Hoyt is believed to have been
the engraver.
" Rat " is a synonym for " scab," in the language of the printer,
and was attached to those of the craft who deserted the Union in times
of trouble. Until about 20 years ago it was the custom to issue circulars
bearing the picture of a big rat, underneath which was printed the
name of the victim of the Union's scorn. Following the name was
matter descriptive of the " rat's " character, replete in derogatory detail.
These circulars were scattered broadcast.
March 26, 1864, at an adjourned meeting, the Journal office was
declared a " rat " office. Three members were expelled for " ratting,"
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 79
one for " ratting and obtaining a card under false pretenses," and one
suspended " until he could make his mysterious conduct clear to the
Union."
The Labor Temple of to-day is the dream fulfilled of the printer of
old. As early as April, 1864, a committee was appointed to confer with
the other unions in the city relative to the establishment of a Trades
Union Hall. If there were no co-operation among the unions of other
cities along this same line at that time the item is important, and that
the unions of other cities may have progressed more quickly or achieved
the object sooner, detracts not from the originators of the idea.
May 2, 1864, Mr. Whelden reported for Mr. Barbour and himself,
that Nashville Union, in which jurisdiction they had been working, had
refused to grant them cards when leaving. These two members of
Providence Union had been employed on a paper issued by Ben C.
Truman, a former Providence printer, but then Provost Marshal at
Nashville, and had deposited their Providence cards with Nashville
Union. There is no record how the matter was settled.
The chairmen appointed June, 1864, were as follows:
Jabez Lord Daily Post.
William H. Barbour Evening Press.
L. M. Phinney Morning Press.
Charles Haven Press Job Office.
William Macpherson Greene's Job Office.
J. P. Helme Journal Job Office.
At the July meeting another increase in the scale was proposed, to
go into effect with the financial week ending August 20. For compo-
sition on morning papers 40 cents per 1000 ems and $20 per week was
asked, and on evening papers the rate was to be 35 cents per 1000 ems,
and $15 per week. Strenuous opposition to its adoption was offered at
the August meeting, all agreeing that the scale should be raised, but it
was argued that it was a certainty that but one paper in the city— The
Press— would pay the advance. The matter was laid over until the
October meeting, and at that meeting there was no quorum present.
Later, an increase of 1 1-3 and 2 cents per 1000 ems, night and day,
respectively, was obtained without trouble.
August 13, a committee was appointed to inquire into the matter
of apprentices to the printing business — the length of time which ought
to elapse before they were to be considered journeymen, etc. The
committee submitted a lengthy report at the September meeting, in
which it stated that the hiring of persons above the age of 21 years as
apprentices was detrimental to the interests of journeymen, in that it
left "loop holes," through which a person might crawl if disposed to
" rat." Situations for " two-thirders " were plentiful where it was impos-
sible to obtain work as a journeyman, and for the sake of steady
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
employment it was believed that some would die of old age before they
would declare themselves competent journeymen. The committee,
therefore, offered the following resolution which was adopted :
"RESOLVED, That no person who has arrived at the age of 21 years be allowed to
work as an apprentice to the printing business in any Union office, unless he is personally
known to members of the craft in this city, and unless there is good evidence that he was
deprived of the privileges while in the employ of his former master, and that said appren-
tice shall engage himself to work as an apprentice for a certain length of time, not ex-
ceeding three years, and at the expiration of that time he shall be declared a journeyman."
The Combination Type Company, it may be safely asserted, was first
to establish an eight-hour printing plant in Providence. The innovation
was not fully appreciated by the Union, however, as the standing com-
mittee was instructed at the September meeting to inquire into the
condition of affairs in that office, then in charge of Robert Manning.
November 12, the committee reported that Mr. Foss, a Union man,
was working at the Combination Type Company's office, eight hours a
day for $10 per week. The general opinion expressed during the dis-
cussion of this subject was that Mr. Foss was establishing a bad precedent,
by accepting a proportional rate of compensation for less than ten hours'
labor, if not, in fact, violating the spirit of the constitution. The speakers
believed it an innovation upon the original design of the Union, and
seemed to think that a workman should receive the stipulated price laid
down for hour work (30 cents), if he worked less than ten hours per
day. Mr. Foss defended himself at length. He did not believe the
constitution prohibited, either in letter or spirit, such a course. Propor-
tionately, he was receiving more than the scale (job, $12), and to require
the individual to ask more for eight hours' work than the Union scale
demanded for ten was unfair alike to the employe and employer.
A motion that Mr. Foss be requested to leave his present situation
was carried.
At the meeting held December 10, 1864, after an amendment to the
constitution had been adopted, providing for the annual election of
officers, Mr. George Whelden was elected President. On taking the
chair, the minutes say, Mr. Whelden made a few remarks appropriate
to the occasion, and hoped to see an increased interest taken in the
affairs of the Union and a full attendance at its meetings in the future.
Alas, for the hope ! The January (1865) meeting was not held as
there was no quorum present.
The subject of holding a ball was discussed at the February meeting
but no definite action taken. No mention is made of the matter at the
March or April meetings, but at the May meeting a resolution was
passed providing that the treasury be drawn upon for a sufficient
amount to secure Mr. George H. Cranston against any loss in advancing
money to defray the expenses of the ball given by the Union.
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 81
It was voted at the May meeting, to send a delegate to the N. T. U.
convention, and William H. Barbour was chosen.
Nothing of importance transpired at the June meeting, and as there
was no proper place provided for holding the July meeting, adjournment
was taken to July 15, at which time no quorum appeared.
August 12, 1865, Mr. McDonald spoke of The Voice, a newspaper
printed in Boston by Union men, and urged the Union to lend assistance
by the purchase of stock. No action is recorded.
At this meeting two delegates were appointed to represent the
Union at a Trades Assembly to be held August 23. Messrs. McDonald
and Sherman were the delegates, and at the September meeting Mr.
McDonald reported that he had attended the convention or assembly
but no meeting had been held, adjournment being taken to August 30.
Nothing was accomplished at that meeting, however, and another was
scheduled for that evening (September 9) . He said that if the Union so
desired he would attend. The committee was instructed to attend.
Mr. Sherman reported at the October meeting, that the delegates had
attended several meetings of the assembly and that an Eight-Hour
League, instead of a Trades Assembly, had been organized. Mr. Sherman
also stated that he had been elected secretary; that meetings were being
held regularly and the League was in a prosperous condition.
How long the Eight-Hour League flourished cannot be told, as
mention was never made of it again in the minutes.
A committee of three was appointed at the September meeting to
inquire into the expediency of imposing a fine upon members for non-
attendance. The matter was tabled at the November meeting.
January 13, 1866, Messrs. Whelden and Barbour, ex-delegates to the
National Typographical Union, were appointed a committee to circulate
a memorial in behalf of the family of the late Thomas J. Walsh, financial
secretary of the New York Union, and for a long time secretary-treas-
urer of the N. T. U. March 10, Mr. Whelden read a letter from Gilbert
Vail, Esq., acknowledging receipt of $39, that being the amount sub-
scribed by the members of Providence Union.
February 10, 1866, a committee was appointed for the purpose of
holding an entertainment under the auspices of the Union, providing
the same be deemed expedient.
At this meeting was also passed a resolution providing for the
appointment of a committee to inquire into the practicability of de-
manding an increase of pay. This committee reported at a special
meeting held February 24, recommending that the scale be increased
and immediate action taken. The report was approved and a committee
appointed to prepare a scale. Recess was taken for fifteen minutes.
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
Committee reported. Report was not accepted and committee retired to
amend report, a recess being taken for five minutes. The committee
reported its inability to agree. Committee was discharged. Meeting
adjourned.
During the excitement at the special meeting the entertainment
committee reported that it would be inadvisable to hold an entertainment
at that time.
An amendment to the scale of prices, offered April 14, and adopted
at the May meeting, provided that compositors, when summoned to the
office after having finished a day's work, should be allowed $1 and
double price paid for all work performed.
May 12, 1866, a proposition to send a delegate to the N. T. U. con-
vention to be held at Chicago, was laid on the table. At a special meeting
held May 19, Mr. Barbour read a letter from Mr. Menamin of Philadel-
phia, volunteering to represent Providence Union at the convention,
and upon motion Mr. Menamin was elected delegate. A letter was
received from Mr. Menamin and read at the June meeting, thanking
the Union for the honor conferred and assuring the Union that he would
discharge the duties involved to the best of his ability.
No quorum was present at the meeting held July 14, and adjourn-
ment was taken to August 11, when ten or twelve members assembled
at the hall; but, owing to the negligence of somebody, were unable to
obtain admittance.
Another attempt was made to raise the scale at the September
meeting. The prices suggested were : For morning newspapers, 40 cents ;
for evening newspapers, 37 1-2 cents; for book work, $15 per week.
Laid on table for one month. The matter was made the special order
for November 17, and on that date was indefinitely postponed, 9 to 7—
25 members being absent and not voting.
Announcement of the death of Peter A. McDonald, President of the
Union, and for many years one of its most active members, was made
at a special meeting held November 24, 1866. Arrangements were made
to attend the funeral. A marshal was selected to officiate and bearers
were chosen. Resolutions testifying to the upright character of Presi-
dent McDonald were adopted, and the Union adjourned to assemble at the
hall the following morning. Mr. McDonald's term of office as President
was brief. He was elected October 13, 1866, to fill the vacancy caused
by the resignation of Dennis J. Scannel. The secretary's account of the
funeral is as follows:
" SUNDAY MORNING, Nov. 25, 1866.
" The members and friends assembled at the hall at 11 o'clock. At 11:15 the meeting
was called to order by the Vice-President, and it was voted that the marshal now take
charge of the body assembled. That official at once formed the line, the bearers being
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 83
on the right, and marched to the car waiting for them, arriving in Pawtucket at 12:20.
The procession then marched to the residence of the deceased, and after listening to
appropriate services, marched to the street; every member on passing out taking a last
look at our departed brother. As the bearers brought the body from the house the
members were formed on each side of the walk with uncovered heads. After placing the
corpse in the hearse the society marched in procession behind and the bearers on each
side, to the Mineral Spring Cemetery, where the remains were deposited. The line was
formed on each side of the grave, the members standing with uncovered heads while the
bearers lowered the corpse to its last resting place, after which the resolutions were
presented to the relatives of the deceased by Mr. Edward A. Willcox. The society then
marched to the car, and taking seats, arrived in Providence at 2:30 o'clock, where they
were dismissed by the marshal."
A committee appointed November 10, 1866, to purchase a testimonial
to be presented to Mr. Menamin in recognition of his services to the
Union, reported at the December meeting that it would be unable to
decide just what to purchase until some certain sum had been appro-
priated. Twenty-five dollars was thereupon voted, and the committee
fulfilled its mission by the purchase of a ring, which was suitably
inscribed and forwarded to Mr. Menamin. The committee in its report
submitted a copy of the letter accompanying the ring and Mr. Menamin's
reply to the same. E. A. Willcox, Thomas Allen and S. G. Smith con-
stituted the committee. It was voted to place Mr. Menamin's name
upon the honorary list.
April 13, 1867, the bill of the Providence Press Co. for $16.75 was
ordered paid. The secretary stated that there was an error in the bill
amounting to $2 in favor of the Union. It was ordered that the error
be corrected and the $2 paid to the Press Co.
An amendment to the scale of prices fixing the rate of composition
at 37 1-2 cents per 1000 ems for morning, and 35 cents per 1000 ems for
evening papers was adopted at this meeting. The amendment also
provided for double price on morning papers and price-and-a-half on
evening papers, when call was made for composition after "Good Day"
was in.
The chairmen were instructed to notify publishers of the action of
the Union.
Resolutions were passed denouncing the proscription by employers of
men taking active part in the affairs of the Union, and providing that
should such action be taken, every man should leave his work.
A special meeting was provided for in case the scale should not be
agreed to. This meeting was not called and as no further mention is
made of the matter it is presumed the advance was obtained.
At the May meeting it was voted that Mr. George H. Cranston's
name be forwarded to the President of the N. T. U. as a candidate for
membership on the executive committee.
No quorum at the June meeting.
84 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
July 13, 1867, the resignation of Mr. Whelden as corresponding
secretary was received and accepted and his successor elected. The new
secretary was instructed to ask for an explanation of the following
sentence in Mr. Whelden's letter of resignation : " Without dwelling to
discuss the question whether some members of the Union have acted in
good faith towards me." Mr. Whelden's explanation was read at the
August meeting and ordered filed with the rest of the Union's documents.
The secretary was instructed at the August meeting to call at the
home of an ex-member and ask for the charter of the Union. At the
September meeting the secretary announced that he had secured the
charter, and the same was ordered hung up in the hall.
The name of S. K. Head was proposed for membership, the secre-
tary stating that Mr. Head was a bona-fide member of Boston Union,
but that a clause in the constitution of that Union prevented a person
from drawing a card unless he had been six months a member. The
matter was laid over until the September meeting, Boston Union in the
meantime forwarding Mr. Head's card, which was duly received at that
meeting.
Tha card of Charles H. Witherup, Pittsburg, No. 7, was presented
at the September meeting, accompanied by $3.45, which, Mr. Witherup
stated, had been advanced by Indianapolis Union on his card. The
secretary was .instructed to forward the money to Indianapolis Union.
The secretary read a circular from the N. T. U. in regard to sub-
ordinate Unions establishing a national fund. Tabled.
October 12, 1867, $40 was appropriated for the benefit of a member
who had been sick for some time.
A committee appointed at this meeting to consider the constitution
framed by the National Union reported at a special meeting held October
19, as follows:
" PROVIDENCE, R. I., October 17, 1867.
" To THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION, No. 33 :
" GENTLEMEN— Your committee to whom was referred the ' Constitution for Subor-
dinate Unions,' and the act creating a 'National Fund,' passed by the National Typo-
graphical Union at its last session, held in Memphis, Tenn., in June last, beg leave to
make the following report:
"After a close examination of the above named documents, we believe it unwise to
place the power in the National Union to frame a constitution for subordinate Unions, as
it would be continually subject to, and undergoing amendments to suit different localities,
no matter how carefully drawn, and would be more detrimental than beneficial to the
local organizations. We would therefore recommend its rejection.
"We are also opposed to the establishment of a 'National Fund,' for, in our opinion,
it would be of no benefit whatever, but would be dangerous and injurious to our local
organizations.
" We believe that the adoption of a national constitution, without due notice and
time, as provided in our national constitution— under which we have successfully labored
for many years — to be illegal, null and void, and of no binding force; and that we should
elect our delegates to the next session of the National Union, to be held at Washington
in June next, without regard to this so-called new constitution.
O'Conner.
Vic.e-
PresiderxT,
Carr-oll,
TinctnciaL
Secrefary
T" r ecus ix r^ e- 1~ .
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 85
"We herewith present the following resolutions, and recommend their adoption:
"RESOLVED, That the manner of adoption of the so-called new national constitution,
by the National Union, which met at Memphis, Tenn., in June, 1867, was an act of nulli-
fication, and as such is not binding on subordinate Unions.
"RESOLVED, That the act known as 'The Constitution for Subordinate Unions,' and
'An act creating a National Fund,' having been passed by virtue of the powers assumed
by this new constitution, are null and void, and of no binding force.
" RESOLVED, That we will not comply with the demand for sixty cents per capita tax
until the same shall have been adopted in a constitutional manner.
"RESOLVED, That we elect our delegates to a session of the National Typographical
Union, to be holden in Washington, D. C., in June next, the same convention being ruled
by the constitution in force at the Fourteenth Annual Session, held in Philadelphia.
"RESOLVED, That we call upon all sister Unions to elect their delegates in the same
manner, and join with us in rebuking this disregard of the national constitution, and the
rights of subordinate Unions.
'D. A. SHERMAN,
'M. C. HARRIS,
' VOLNEY AUSTIN,
' JOHN F. LONSDALE,
'WILLIAM H. BARBOUR, Committee."
On motion of Mr. Foss, the resolutions were adopted. Ayes, 15 ;
nays, 5.
This appeal to sister Unions throughout the country met with such
hearty co-operation that at the Washington convention, the following
June, the action taken by the Memphis convention was annulled, a
decided triumph for Providence Union. It is said that the Memphis
convention was controlled by an element whose loyalty to the Union
was subordinate to that of a secret organization foreign to the craft at
large, but the prompt action of Providence Union, with the generous
support of sister Unions prevented the consummation of their plans to
rule the Typographical Union.
While Providence Union may be held responsible for defeating the
establishment of a "Strike Fund" in 1868, it claims the distinction of
reviving the agitation for its enactment. The delegate from Providence
to the New York convention of 1885, was instructed to bring before the
convention a proposition incorporating an " International Strike Fund,"
and a number of appeals for financial assistance from sister Unions were
given the delegate to be used as an argument for the adoption of some
such legislation. The present fund and the laws governing strikes are
the direct result of the proposition adopted at that convention.
The following is all that is recorded under date of November 9, 1867 :
"Regular monthly meeting. Meeting met at 8 o'clock ; President in the chair. The
secretary being absent, it was voted to adjourn."
A special meeting was called by the President Sunday morning,
December 8, 1867, for the purpose of attending the funeral of George H.
Cranston. The minutes read:
"At 10:30 o'clock the meeting was called to order by the Vice-President, who appointed
as marshal to take charge of the body assembled, Charles C. Gray, and as bearers,
Messrs. Lonsdale, Simpson, Reid, Barry, Boss and Chenery. The marshal then took charge,
formed the line and marched to the residence of the deceased, where after appropriate
86 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
services were listened to, marched to the North End Burying Ground, where the remains
were deposited in the tomb, after which the members and the friends of the deceased
marched back to the hall, where they were dismissed by the marshal."
Appropriate resolutions on Mr. Cranston's death were passed at the
regular meeting held December 15.
Notice was received at the January, 1868, meeting, that the Union
could no longer have the use of the hall then being occupied. It was
said that a hall on Weybosset street could be had for $2 per meeting,
and Mr. Chenery was appointed to arrange for the same.
A resolution providing for the payment of .... sum to the relatives
of a member in case of death was offered by Mr. Lonsdale at the
meeting held February 8, 1868, but what action, if any, was taken is
not recorded.
Resolutions were passed thanking the American Protestant Asso-
ciation, No. 2, for their kindness in leasing Friendship hall for the
February meeting and for past favors.
It was voted that every member of the Union contribute the equiv-
alent of 1000 ems towards the erection of a monument to the memory
of Charles Brown ( Artemus Ward) , printer and philosopher, " said con-
tribution to be collected on the 6th day of March next."
The chairmen of the different offices were, by vote, instructed to
assist the financial secretary by collecting the dues in the respective
chapels over which they presided.
At the April meeting it was debated whether a delegate would be
sent to represent Providence in the convention to be holden at Wash-
ington on the first Monday in June next. The secretary was instructed
to write Mr. Menamin and learn if he would act. It was voted at the
May meeting to elect a delegate to act with Mr. Menamin, and Mr. E. A.
Willcox was chosen. A committee was appointed to solicit subscriptions
for defraying the expenses of the delegate.
An influx of New York printers was responsible for a motion
August 8, 1868, instructing the secretary to write New York Union and
ask that printers leaving that city be advised to seek other fields than
Providence.
At the meeting held November 14, 1868, the secretary read an
amnesty proclamation from the President of the National Union, and at
the December meeting it is recorded that the life of the amnesty had
been extended to February 1, 1869. An examination of the admissions
during that period show that a number of delinquents took advantage
of the act.
Because of a strike in New York city, it was voted at the meeting
held March 13, 1869, that $50 be loaned to the New York Union. There
is no record of the loan having been cancelled.
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 87
April 10, 1869, the investigation committee reported unfavorably
upon an application for membership, "because," it said, "this man
meekly performs work for which the proprietors pay but 28 cents per
1000 ems."
To revise the book and job scale a committee was appointed May 8,
1869. The committee was given power to call a special meeting for
immediate action, if necessary. No special meeting was called, however,
and at the June meeting it was stated that the committee had attended
to its duties but was unable to make a full report at that time. The
committee was continued with the same powers. There was no meeting
during July because of lack of quorum, and at the August meeting
the committee was discharged and the whole matter laid on the table.
At the May meeting it was voted to send a delegate to the N. T. U.
convention, and Stephen Booth was elected, the expenses of the delegate
to be raised by subscription.
June 12, 1869, Mr. Whelden made some remarks in regard to
"departments" in newspaper offices, and recommended that the men
holding such positions pay a premium in order that wages be equalized.
Others spoke on the same subject, but no action was taken.
This is the first and last reference to "blood," so called, in the
minutes of Providence Union. The "department" system flourished in
many cities before the introduction of machines.
The "ad" department was the best paying, many holders of that
"sit" paying more than 50 per cent, of their earnings for the privilege,
the bonus being distributed equally among the holders of regular situ-
ations. For instance, if the holder of a "department" set 30,000 ems in
a day and the percentage demanded was one-half, 15,CCO ems was taken
from his "string" and cut into fifteen 1000-em "takes" and distributed
to the men in numerical order. In the big offices of large cities
"departments" were numerous, and it was not an unusual occurrence
for a man to receive two " takes " of "blood," or 2000 ems bonus in one
night and that notwithstanding fully 100 men were employed. Depart-
ments were scarce in Providence, however, and their "fatness" never
warranted the payment of a very large percentage by the holders for
the privilege.
At the meeting held August 14, 1869, a resolution was presented
providing for the election of chairmen of chapels by the members
employed in the different offices. The resolution was adopted at the
September meeting. Previous to that time the chairmen of chapels had
been appointed by the President of the Union, and those then serving
in that capacity were requested to resign, which they did at the October
meeting and their resignations were accepted.
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
September 11 chairmen were instructed to prevent strangers going
to work in their respective offices before depositing a travelling card,
and it was voted that 500 working cards be printed. December 11 the
secretary was ordered to issue the cards to the chairmen of the different
offices, to be by them distributed to the members of their respective
chapels.
Embodied in the order or motion was the principle, still adhered to,
that no card be issued to extend for a period longer than one month.
October 11 a special meeting was called to make arrangements for
attending the funeral of Thomas E. Jennings. Bearers were appointed
and the members proceeded in a body to the home of the deceased.
November 13, 1869, a circular was ordered printed inviting non-
union printers to become members.
At this meeting, the gentleman who was the cause of all the corre-
spondence and debate in connection with his application to withdraw
from the Union, and whose ejection from the society was effected in the
face of threatened legal entanglements, made application to renew his
membership in the Union. The report of the committee on the appli-
cation was made December 11, and was, in part, as follows:
"This gentleman is known to most of the members of this Union, but to those who
are not familiar with his case, perhaps a few words of explanation will be acceptable.
Mr. ... is nearly 70 years of age and entered the printing business about 52 years ago,
so that now he is the oldest printer in the State. He was a charter member of this society,
but gained its displeasure by working below the scale, and was excluded. He is now at
work in a Union office on piece work and in order that he may continue to do so, he asks
to be reinstated. We recommend that he be admitted on the same conditions that apply
to a new applicant.
"A. M. ROBERTSON,
"NAT. L. REEVES, Standing Committee."
February 12, 1870, ballot was taken on the application which re-
sulted in the gentleman's reinstatement, and at the meeting held March
12 he again took the obligation of membership.
It was the common practice of the time for travellers to "strike"
town without a card, although entitled to one from the jurisdiction in
which they were last employed. This negligence on the part of the
tourist caused not a little trouble for corresponding secretaries in writing
for the cards of strangers. To reimburse the secretary for this extra
work that official was authorized to charge five cents for each letter
written for such a purpose, the applicant to pay the same. This action
was taken at the meeting held December 11, 1869.
A resolution offered by Edward Quinn at the meeting held April 9,
1870, was referred to a committee of three for report at the next
meeting. The resolution read:
" WHEREAS, The good standing and influence of this Union have for some time past
been greatly injured by a certain class of men belonging to the craft who indulge in the
use of intoxicating liquor when they should be attending to their business, therefore,
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 89
"RESOLVED, That any person, a member of this Union, who shall vacate a frame
which he may hold, or on which he may be subbing, through the influence of liquor, the
same shall be posted in every union city under the jurisdiction of the National Union."
The committee appointed to handle this matter was Messrs. Booth,
Robertson and Gray, and at the May meeting the report of the commitee
was adopted. What were the recommendations of the committee is
not given.
May 14, 1870, it was voted that R. S. Menamin represent Providence
Union at the convention of the National Union to be held at Cincinnati,
Ohio, June 6. A committee was appointed to mail instructions as to his
actions on certain matters to come before the convention.
July 9, 1870, an amendment to the constitution was offered, fixing
the number required to constitute a quorum, by the following addition :
"And all members failing to attend said meetings to be fined 25 cents."
Laid over to August meeting. At that meeting, although receiving a
majority vote, the amendment did not receive the two-thirds necessary
to carry.
January 14, 1871, an amendment increasing the salary of the
recording and financial secretary from $20 to $40 was laid over, and a
committee appointed to consider the matter. The committee's report
favored an increase and the amendment was adopted February 11, 1871.
An amendment to the scale of prices was also offered at the January
meeting and rejected at the February meeting. The amendment called
for 45 cents per 1000 for morning, and 42 cents for evening papers ;
hour work 40 cents, and book work $18 per week, ten hours.
An attempt was made at the March meeting to increase the dues
to 50 cents per month. Laid over until the April meeting, when it was
defeated. The amendment was again offered at the July meeting and
defeated August 12, 1871.
At the meeting April 8, 1871, it was voted to elect a delegate to
the Baltimore convention. Two informal ballots were taken without
developing a favorite. On a formal ballot Henry A. Brown received
41 votes out of a total of 69 cast. A motion to make the vote unanimous
was lost. At the next meeting it was voted to amend the minutes by
erasing the word "lost" and inserting the word "carried," thereby
making the election unanimous — or did it?
July 8, 1871, a committee of five was appointed to confer with the
pressmen of the city and try and persuade them to join the Union.
A letter from Hartford was read at this meeting, acknowledging
receipt of $35 from this Union, and the secretary was instructed to
purchase a Black Book in which to register the names of "rats"
appearing in the circulars from sister Unions. This book cannot be
found.
90 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
February 10, 1872, the jurisdiction of the Union was limited to the
city of Providence.
The second strike in which Providence Union became involved
occurred during April, 1872. Pursuant to a call signed by Eben Gordon,
Frank E. Burroughs, John Walsh, Charles W.1 Burroughs, J. H. Wilson,
R. A. Pierce, A. W. Forsythe, Samuel K. Head and N. B. Bowers, a
special meeting was held April 5, 1872, to consider matters relating to
affairs in the Herald office. Mr. Gordon stated that first a request and
then a demand had been made for a raise from 40 to 45 cents per 1000
ems, by the men employed on the Herald, and moved that the Union
endorse the action. After a spirited discussion the motion was carried.
Amos B. Cranston, the foreman, then inquired if he would be
justified in filling vacancies with Union men. A motion that he be
allowed to do so was lost. The meeting then adjourned.
The minutes of this special meeting were corrected at the regular
meeting held April 13, so as to read that the foreman of the Herald
should not employ printers at less than 45 cents per 1000 ems.
At the regular April meeting the Union went into committee of the
whole, and Herald office affairs were debated at length. During the
discussion Mr. Cranston stated that he misunderstood the vote at the
special meeting, being under the impression that he was allowed to
employ Union men at 40 cents until such time as the scale should be
amended. He denied having ^employed any but Union men, having
engaged but one man, a member of Ottawa Union ; Noah D. Payne put
the other men to work.
The corresponding secretary was instructed to write Ottawa Union
in regard to this man, and the recording secretary was directed to wait
upon the gentleman and find out his standing as a Union man.
An amendment to the scale was presented and laid over until the
May meeting. The proposed scale called for 45 cents per 1000 ems
for morning, and 40 cents for evening papers. This was amended at
the May meeting to read 42 and 38 cents, respectively.
In all probability the adoption of the 42 and 38-cent rates served to
settle the matter, as no mention is again made of that particular diffi-
culty. Later on, however, Thursday, January 2, 1873, a special meeting
was called to consider grievances directly traceable to the former trouble.
The call reads:
"To THE PRESIDENT OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION, No. 33:
"DEAR SIR — We, the undersigned, members of Providence Typographical Union,
No. 33, held a chapel meeting this afternoon, at which time it was decided to strike the
office for infringing a rule of the International Typographical Union, and hereby request
you to call a special meeting of this Union at six o'clock at most convenient place.
"E. A. CARTER, "THOMAS HYNES,
"C.E.LYONS, "WILLIAM CARROLL,
" A W. FORSYTHE, "JOHN POWERS,
" T. C. GAWLEY, "ROBERT O'CONNOR."
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 91
The meeting was called to order in the composing room of the
Evening Press, and after an explanation of the grievances it was voted
to sustain the action of the chapel.
At the time of the strike of April, 1872, as was the custom, some of
the men most responsible for the Union's embroilment gathered their
belongings and left the city, leaving the Union to settle the difficulty
as best it could. Later, the management of the Herald evidently found
that the men engaged to fill the vacancies thus caused were even
less tractable than those who had been previously employed, and it was
because of an attempt on the part of the management of that paper to
re-engage one or more of those men that gave occasion for the more
recent trouble. The difficulty was promptly adjusted.
Experience has taught Union printers that strikes initiated under
circumstances similar to either of the above instances are not conducive
to progress, and stringent laws now prevent occurrences of that kind.
It was voted at the April meeting not to send a delegate to the
I. T. U. convention.
A special meeting was called December 20, 1872, in the composing
room of the Evening Press, for the purpose of initiating Charles A.
Peabody and John H. Campbell, who were unable to attend a regular
meeting.
January 11, 1873, the chairmen of the different offices were in-
structed to notify all non-union men working in the chapels over which
they presided to send in their applications for membership forthwith.
The sergeant-at-arms was instructed at the February meeting to
confer with the trustees of Mechanics' Temple of Honor in regard to
leasing hall. That official reported at the March meeting that he had
engaged a hall from the trustees of the American Protestant Association.
A committee was appointed March 8, 1873, to nominate candidates
for delegate to convention of the I. T. U. The committee presented
the names of two candidates as contestants for the honor at the April
meeting, and on ballot Volney Austin received all but one vote. Pro-
viding the losing candidate cast that one vote himself, others who may
have pledged support surely had a job on hand to demonstrate to the
candidate's satisfaction their fealty on that occasion. The delegate
reported at the July meeting as follows :
"To THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION, No. 33:
" GENTLEMEN — Your delegate to the 21st session of the International Typographical
Union of North America, held in Montreal in June last, respectfully submits the following
for your information and consideration : It would be useless for me to detail the pro-
ceedings of the convention, as the official copy of its actions will soon be received from
its secretary, but I may give you some information that cannot from its nature be
embodied in his report, and call your attention to some of the more important doings of
the session.
92 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
"A caucus, comprising delegates from the Northern, Middle and Western States, was
held at the Ottawa House on Sunday evening, May 31, 1873, for the purpose of co-
operation, and with a view solely to make all coming proceedings in the convention
harmonious. William J. Quinn of Boston was chosen chairman, and he announced the
caucus ready for business. Your delegate nominated William R. McLane of Washington
as candidate for President ; the nomination was seconded, but the nomination was with-
drawn for the purpose of appointing a committee to formulate a general ticket. One
delegate from each subordinate Union represented comprised the committee, whose duty,
in addition to the selection of candidates for the various offices, was the selection of a
site for the next annual session of the International Union.
"After selecting Mr. McLane as the Presidential nominee, Mr. Quinn of Boston was
nominated for Vice-President. Mr. Quinn, however, did not wish to compromise in any
manner the claims of Boston as the place of meeting of the 22nd convention, and his
name was withdrawn as a candidate. Your delegate was then nominated for the position
which, for the honor of Providence Union as well as for myself, would gladly have been
accepted, but believing that a generous declination by all New England delegates of any
offices in the convention would secure the point so much desired, I declined the nom-
ination.
"Business was then proceeded with and a full ticket named.
"A long discussion then ensued on the respective claims of Boston and St. Louis as
the next place of meeting, the committee finally deciding to make no recommendation to
the caucus.
"The proceedings of the convention, as I have before remarked, will soon be had in
printed form, but I will call attention to a few points requiring immediate consideration.
"The constitution of No. 33 requires the payment of 25 cents for each travelling card.
The International Union at this session has declared that no subordinate Union has a
right to make any charge whatever for a travelling card. Although seeming somewhat
arbitrary at first glance, I am of the opinion that the ground taken by the International
Union is substantial and just.
"A resolution recommending the abolition of all sub-lists was almost unanimously
adopted.
" The new International Union charter is now ready and I recommend that the
corresponding secretary be requested to send for it.
" If the members of this Union could have heard the loud and prolonged applause
called forth by the corresponding secretary's report, denouncing a class of parasites that
now infest almost every printing office in America, a species of that vermin that has
brought the great art of all Christian intelligence and learning into contempt, they would
seriously think of a matter that has become of almost vital interest to all good craftsmen.
" The unanimous sentiment of the International Union calls upon you not only to
refuse to aid in any manner this horde of tramps, boarding-house jumpers, dead beats,
and all others who cannot give a clean card, but to denounce and drive them out on
every occasion. By firm and unflinching action only can this be done. Gentlemen, as
you regard your own welfare and self-respect, I ask you to seriously consider this matter.
"Probably the most important subject brought before the International convention,
and to consider which the only special committee of the session was appointed, was what
is known as the 'Rouse's Point matter.' The President appointed the following as the
committee : Messrs. Livesey, Freehan, McNamara, Quinn, Craft, Griffard, Austin, Curtiss
and Allbe. At a meeting of the committee your delegate was elected secretary, and after
a thorough discussion of the subject a conclusion was reached which was reported to the
convention.
" When I receive the proper papers to carry out suggestions, I will inform you more
fully in the matter, which is of great interest to all parties concerned in the material and
mechanical production of books, and more especially those interests of the Middle States,
New England States and New York State.
"The members of the Montreal and Jacques Carder Unions entertained us very
hospitably and I should be pleased to think that the presence and harmony of the Inter-
national convention has softened the bitter feeling existing between the generous mem-
bers of 97 and 145.
" There were 92 delegates present and is, I believe, the largest number ever gathered
at any session.
"And now, gentlemen, for your generous appropriation accept my sincere thanks ;
for the unanimity of your votes in selecting me to represent you, words cannot express
my gratitude.
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 93
"I endeavored, during the session, to do whatever should ennure to the benefit of
journeymen throughout North America. If I have accomplished anything creditable to
the Providence Typographical Union I am satisfied.
"Yours truly,
"Providence, July 12, 1873." "VoLNEY AUSTIN."
One hundred and ten dollars was the amount appropriated for the
delegate's expenses, and an entry in the books shows that the delegate
attempted to return a part of the appropriation as an unexpended bal-
ance, but was prevented from accomplishing the rash act by the Union's
voting that he retain the money. The exact amount is not given, the
sum being indicated as ... dollars.
This in itself would seem to distinguish Mr. Austin as a marvel
among delegates. None of his fellow-fortunates before or since that
time ever attempted such a thing, and that he failed of his purpose at
that time can hardly be offered as an excuse for no effort to emulate his
example by those who have followed.
A motion to elect a chairman for the Journal office was defeated
at the December meeting. At the meeting held February 14, 1874,
Myron W. Dibble was appointed chairman of that office.
April 14, 1874, resolutions on the death of George T. Arnold were
adopted.
There was no quorum present at either the June or July meetings.
At the November meeting, a member was removed from the room
for being intoxicated and the case referred to a committee. The com-
mittee recommended that the offending member be fined $2 for violation
of Article XIII., Sec. 2. of the constitution. The recommendation was
adopted, but later the fine was remitted.
The minutes for the greater part of the four years following are
missing, and those that are preserved show a decided lack of interest on
the part of the membership for a proper record of the Union's doings,
and gross carelessness or incompetency on the part of the secretary.
The following is taken from a journal of Alexander M. Robertson,
one of the first members of the Union:
"The last meeting of the Providence Typographical Union, No. 33, was held in
Haggai Hall, Weybosset street, on Saturday evening, May 11, 1878. There were present:
Asahel P. Brown, Henry A. Barnes, Joseph B. Leavens, Frank H. Sears, Henry R. Sawyer,
Clarence E. Burtwell, Ahira Hall, John Croil Ryan, Samuel T. B. Trimmer, William E.
Tourtellot, William E. Cooke, Frank Capron, Alexander M. Robertson. A vote of disso-
lution was passed, there being only three or four dissenting votes, and the charter was at
once returned to the International Union. Cause of dissolution — lack of interest and lack
of funds to send a delegate to the coming meeting of the parent body, an imperative re-
quirement once in two years."
THE REORGANIZATION
In the fall of 1882 steps were first taken in the movement toward
the reorganization of Providence Typographical Union, No. 33. The
charter of the old Union had been surrendered in 1878. In the summer
of 1882 a communication was received by R. J. Faulkner from Chicago,
signed Mark L. Crawford, then secretary-treasurer of the I. T. U.,
stating that "typographical matters were booming all over the country"
and asking why "'Little Rhody' should be behind," and winding up
with " I will torture you with communications till you take some action
in the matter." After considerable investigation as to the material to
work on, and correspondence with Mr. Crawford and George Clarke of
St. Louis, then President of the I. T. U., Mr. Faulkner, in conjunction
with E. Leslie Pike, thoroughly canvassed the city, and at the request
of Mr. Clarke to "go ahead and organize and the I. T. U. will back you
up," started in on the work. The result was a list of 32 journeymen
who announced a willingness to join the movement.
The first meeting recorded in the books of the reorganized Union is
under date of April 1, 1883, and was held in the composing room of the
Telegram office for the purpose of receiving the report of the charter
committee, appointed at a previous meeting, and to take the necessary
steps to re-establish No. 33.
The meeting was called to order by C. A. Faller, chairman of the
Telegram chapel.
The chairman of the charter committee reported for that committee,
the charter was presented and accepted, and the committee discharged.
Temporary officers were then elected as follows : President — George
Westfield; Treasurer— James Moores Secretary— E. Leslie Pike.
The meeting then resolved into a committee of the whole. A com-
mittee on organization was appointed; every member holding a card was
assessed one dollar; the committee arose and reported progress.
The committee on organization recommended that a committee on
constitution and by-laws be elected. The recommendation was adopted
and a committee of five elected.
The meeting adjourned subject to the call of the committee on
organization.
A meeting was held the following Sunday (April 8) in the Provi-
dence Temperance Cadet's Hall, and was called to order by the tempo-
rary President, George Westfield.
The report of the committee on organization was accepted and an
order of business adopted.
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 95
The following cards were received and accepted : Rudolph DeLeeuw,
Boston; H. T. White, New Haven ; Richard J. Faulkner, Boston ; James
J. Jones, Washington, D. C. ; Charles T. McKinley, Boston ; E. Leslie
Pike, Boston ; Ed. P. Rollins, Buffalo, N. Y. ; William B. McCann, New
York ; George H. Westfield, New York ; Robert W. Carlisle, Boston.
The following were then obligated as members : William McCann,
George W. Flynn, George W. Turner, Joseph N. B. Meegan, William M.
Leavitt, John P. Dolan, Edwin T. Morse, E. T. Spencer, James J. Murray,
William Palmer, James P. Bowes, Thomas L. Koran, Joseph G. Hodg-
kinson, Owen M. Gledhill, James H. Russell, Joseph F. Doyle, George E.
Boomer.
The election of permanent officers was taken up and resulted as
follows : President— Richard J. Faulkner ; Recording and Corresponding
Secretary— Thomas L. Koran; Financial Secretary— E. Leslie Pike;
Treasurer— W. M. Leavitt ; Sergeant-at-Arms— George W. Flynn.
A vote of thanks was tendered the Providence Temperance Cadets
for the kindly use of their hall free of charge.
The next meeting was held in the same hall one week later, and the
permanent officers elected at the previous meeting were installed, with
the exception of W. M. Leavitt as treasurer, who asked to be excused.
The request was granted, and J. A. McGuinness was nominated, elected
and installed as treasurer.
The Union voted thanks to George H. Westfield for the efficient
manner in which he had conducted the two previous meetings.
At this meeting the travelling cards of C. A. Faller, New York,
and T. B. Somers, Boston, were read and accepted, and the following
gentlemen obligated : John J. Nolan, James Moore, J. A. McGuinness,
Thomas M. Nolan, Eugene N. Lancaster, Samuel M. Bower, Frank N.
Shaw, William Donovan, Charles W. Randall, Alfred A. Devenish, John
Rodgers, Gordon E. Shepard.
For several months following no business of great import came up
for consideration, the members keeping busy with the work of gathering
in delinquent " card-holders " and interviewing those journeymen who
had never belonged to the Union. Their efforts were flatteringly suc-
cessful, and a large percentage of those employed in the newspaper
branch of the trade were soon affiliated with the organization, notwith-
standing the obstacles thrown in their way by Mr. Danielson of the
Journal and Z. L. White of the Star and Press. The employes of the
Journal were required to sign a card stating that they were not mem-
bers of Typographical Union, etc., and those of the Star and Press were
notified that summary discharge would be the penalty meted out to
those identifying themselves with the movement.
96 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
While this had a deterrent effect on some of the employes in both
offices, quite a number signed the card in the Journal office at the
request of the executive committee and still held their membership,
and some of the employes of the Star and Press also joined or deposited
their cards with the Union.
The investigating committee at the September meeting recom-
mended that the Union take summary action on the cases of several
gentlemen who had been backward in fulfilling their plain obligations
to No. 33. The report was received but no definite action was taken on
the recommendation.
The "strike fund" was an unknown institution in those days, and
appeals for aid from sister Unions and from Unions of other crafts con-
sumed much of the time of every meeting. These communications
were usually read, received and placed on file — that spindle upon whose
piercing point so many pathetic prayers have been impaled. However,
in cases where the circumstances warranted more substantial consider-
ation, financial assistance was seldom withheld.
It was at this meeting (September 30, 1883) that the first appropri-
ation was made in behalf of a sister Union; the secretary being in-
structed to forward the sum of $5 to Sacramento Union, whose members
were then on strike.
The secretary, at the same meeting, was also authorized to pay the
bill of $3 for one-half page ad in the "Proceedings" of I. T. U. convention
for 1883.
The members were evidently in good humor at the November
meeting. E. P. Rollins was tendered a vote of thanks for faithful
efforts in behalf of the Union. It is also recorded that Mr. Rollins lost
his situation because of those efforts. The Union's philanthropy in-
creased 100 per cent, at this meeting, and Ottawa Union was the bene-
ficiary to the amount of $10. The spirit of forbearance was also shown
in further delaying action on the cases of delinquents, which was still
further postponed at the December meeting.
The business of greatest importance at the December meeting was
the election of officers for the ensuing year, which resulted as follows:
President— Meyrick Waites; Vice-President— J. George Hodgkinson;
Financial Secretary— John A. McGuinness; Treasurer— William Don-
ovan; Sergeant-at-Arms — Willian B. McCann.
President Faulkner administered the oath of office to President-elect
Waites, who in turn swore in the remaining officers-elect.
The first meeting of 1884 was called to order Wednesday, January
30, by President Waites.
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 97
Under the head of "New Business" the President suggested that a
committee be appointed to interview other labor organizations of the
city and vicinity in regard to forming a Central Labor Union. The
President was given the power to select such a committee and he named
Joseph C. Barker and James M. Gould to act with himself in the matter.
The President also called attention to the defectiveness of the con-
stitution and by-laws then in use by the Union, and a committee was
appointed to remedy the defects.
The secretary was instructed to inscribe on the roll of honorary
members the name of P. P. Pomeroy, a printer, who had not worked at
the business for over a year at that time. This gentleman, therefore,
is entitled to the distinction of being the first honorary member under
the reorganization.
At this meeting, also, a committee was appointed to arrange for a
grand ball, and Meagher Guards' Armory was the scene, and April 21
the date of the brilliant affair. From 9 P. M. until 4 A. M. the next
morning, according to newspaper accounts, "the Knights of the stick
and rule threw themselves into the mazes of the merry waltz with as
free abandon as etiquette and good breeding admitted." The Alpine
Orchestra, E. A. Young, leader, furnished the music for the occasion,
and Caterer Davis of the Dorrance Hotel, supplied the bounteous feast.
William Donovan was floor director and Meyrick Waites assisted Mr.
Donovan.
J. H. Russell, James M. Gould, William Comyn, William Donovan
and Thomas C. Shanley acted as committee of arrangements. Mr.
Russell, for the committee, reported at a later meeting thati socially,
the affair was a grand success, but financially, the Union was $29 to
the bad.
A costly souvenir programme, given with each ticket, was held to
be responsible for the deficiency.
At the February meeting the chairman of the investigating com-
mittee reported that it had ratified an agreement between the pub-
lishers of the Morning Star and Evening Press and their employes.
President Waites explained the advantages gained by the employes
in general and the Union in particular, and recommended that the Union
sanction the ratification of the investigating committee. This action
was taken by unanimous vote, and the President was thanked for his
services in the matter.
The agreement referred to above is incorporated in that part of the
history dealing with plate matter.
President Waites reported at the meeting held March 27, that a
convention was to be held in Temperance Cadets' hall on Thursday
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
evening, March 29, for the purpose of organizing a Central Labor Union.
Two delegates were elected (Messrs. Waites and Pike) to represent
No. 33, and the officers of Providence Typographical Union were ap-
pointed by President Waites as a reception committee to receive the
delegates to the labor convention.
April 30, 1884, a committee was appointed to inquire into the feasi-
bility of holding an excursion during the summer, either as a Printers'
Day, or as a celebration in conjunction with the Central Labor Union.
At the May meeting the date for holding the excursion was fixed for
July 9, but was later changed to July 22, the same to be known as
" Printers' Day." The excursion on this occasion was not exclusively a
Union affair, the original Union committee having interested a number
of printers who were not members at that time. Previous to taking
boats for Rocky Point a short street parade was made. The line was
formed on North Main street at the foot of Waterman street, at 9 o'clock,
as follows : Platoon of police ; Chief Marshal George W. Barry ; Aids,
T. M. Nolan, J. A. Belcher ; Herrick's Brigade Band, J. 0. Casey, leader ;
Typographical Union, Meyrick Waites, marshal. At the Union depot
the line was augmented by a number of guests who had been received
by James H. Russell. The visitors included Charles Miller, Nashua,
N. H. ; Andrew F. Moran, Charles Sanford, John Burns, Charles H.
Bigelow, Edgar Collins, New York ; James Rice, Charles Hubbley, Fred
Reilly, Harvey Chappell, William McGrath, Theodore B. Somers, Frank
McNamee, Henry White, Percy B. S. Thayer, Charles Baker, Edward
Quinn, Frank Brayton, John Whittem, William Hayes, James Pym,
L. Gates, Martin Kelly, John Hayes, J. Noonan, W. Roebbling, C. Wixon,
F. Falvey, T. J. Murphy, James Harvey, George Appleton, John Galvin,
B. B. Newell and others from Boston.
The committee representing the Union on this occasion consisted
of James H. Russell, James Gould, William Donovan, John Clarkson,
Thomas M. Nolan and William Carroll. The excursion was a pro-
nounced success in every particular.
The idea suggested at the time of the appointment of the above
committee, of combining with the Central Labor Union in a like cele-
bration, met with such favor that before the time of celebrating
"Printers' Day" the Union had accepted an invitation from the Central
Labor Union to take part in a grand parade and excursion to Rocky
Point under the auspices of that body. This action was taken at a
meeting held July 3. Aside from celebrations inaugurated since the
establishment of Labor Day and held on that day, the demonstration on
that occasion was probably the greatest ever made by the Union forces
of Rhode Island. August 19 was the date of the event. The line was
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 99
headed by Sergeant Murray, now deputy chief, and a squad of police,
followed by Hedley's Band, Drum Corps, Emmett Cadets, Delegates
Central Labor Union, Typographical Union, Guests from Woonsocket
and Attleboro, Tailors' Protective Union, Guests from Boston, Hartford
and Lowell, R. I. Fife and Drum Band, Enterprise Association, Olney-
ville Labor Association, Fall River Labor Association, Pawtucket Cigar-
makers, Representatives of Mechanics, Carpenters and Shoemakers.
After a short parade through the downtown streets, the party embarked
on the steamer Day Star, on which were as guests of the Central Union
Gen. Benj. F. Butler, of Massachusetts ; Senator A. W. Blair, of New
Hampshire; Frank K. Foster, of Haverhill; and Hon. William Sprague,
ex-Governor of Rhode Island. Upon reaching Rocky Point the guests
were escorted to the coliseum, where addresses were made by General
Butler, Frank K. Foster, Louis F. Post of New York, and others.
Seated upon the stage were Secretary Howard, of Fall River Textile
Association; Henry Oscar Cole, ex-President International Bricklayers;
Doctor Garvin, Thomas Robinson, of Pawtucket; Mrs. B. C. Hillsman,
Mrs. Abbie Lawrence and Mrs. E. M. Bowles, who was delegate to the
Indianapolis convention which nominated General Butler for the Presi-
dency of the United States.
Letters of regret were read from John Swinton, Henry George and
Congressman Foran of Ohio.
It was announced from the stage that as soon as Senator Blair
stepped from the boat he was handed a telegram which necessitated his
immediate return home.
Final arrangements for the parade were made at a special meeting
held August 15, in the composing room of the Telegram. A banner to
cost not more than $15 was ordered at this meeting, as were also badges.
It was voted to insert a card in the daily papers calling upon members
to meet at 54 North Main street, Tuesday, August 19, to take part in
the parade.
The resignation of President Waites was presented at the May
meeting, and laid upon the table, and it was not until the September
meeting that the resignation was finally accepted.
In August a delegation from the New York Bricklayers Union was
given the privilege of presenting their appeal for financial assistance
from the floor of the Union, and they evidently convinced those present
of the worthiness of their errand, from the fact that a donation of $25
is recorded.
Resolutions of condemnation of the New York Tribune for the vio-
lation of an agreement with its employes, were passed at the November
(1884) meeting and a boycotting committee appointed in conformity
100 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
with the request of No. 6, and the matter brought before the Central
Labor Union. In March, 1887, the boycotting committee made a final
report to the effect that the sale of the Tribune had been practically
suppressed in this State ; that no copies of that paper were then exposed
for sale at any newspaper stand in this city.
The year 1885 was a most strenuous one in Union affairs. Matters,
then of great importance to the craft, came up for consideration and
reconsideration month after month at regular and special meetings, and
in some cases the subject of discussion was not disposed of until the
lapse of years.
" Plate matter " was one of the questions which perplexed the mind
of the printer during that year, and for a long period following, and
occasioned a flow of oratory that seems to have been checked only by
the degeneration of the subject as a matter of importance. Because of
the volume of preambles and resolutions, arguments, appeals, communi-
cations and decisions, this matter will be treated as briefly as the impor-
tance of the subject will admit.
The Standard Dictionary defines plate matter as follows :
" Matter for newspapers and periodicals, cast in stereotyped plates and sold to be used
by several papers at practically the same time."
The invention of plate matter made possible the enlargement of
newspapers owned by the less successful publishers, who could not
compete with their more fortunate brothers were they compelled to pay
the price of hand composition to increase the number of their pages.
Plate matter came in column lengths — telegraph, miscellany and
stories. Six columns of telegraph per day, 36 columns per week, cost $15.
The same amount of hand composition would cost about $70. Naturally,
publishers all over the country who could not otherwise afford to en-
large their papers adopted the " boiler-plate " method.
The International Union, because of a diversity of opinion through-
out its jurisdiction upon the subject, referred the matter of its regulation
to subordinate Unions.
It was claimed by the defenders of its use that Union men were
employed in setting up the type for the ready-made matter ; that papers
now being published would be enlarged ; that new papers would be
established, and that it would eventually prove beneficial to the craft.
The argument that Union men were employed in its manufacture
seemed of little consequence to the opponents of its use, since the work
of a few threw hundreds out of employment, they claimed. They be-
lieved that the publishers, instead of enlarging their papers, would
curtail composition ; they denied that new papers would be established
or flourish by its use ; rather was it an imposition upon the reading
public and a present menace to the craft.
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 101
The first daily papers of this city to make use of plate matter to
any great extent were the Evening Press and Morning Star and for
several months they enjoyed the benefit undisturbed.
To the employes of the Press and Star it looked as if the abolition
of " plates " would mean the early suspension of those papers, thereby
depriving about 30 printers of work, hence the stubborn fight of those
printers against Union interference.
The question of its regulation or control first came before a special
meeting of the Union held September 17, 1885. James M. Gould, chair-
man of the Telegram chapel, announced that D. 0. Black, then proprie-
tor of the Evening Telegram, wished to introduce plate matter into
that office. After lengthy discussion the matter was referred to a com-
mittee to confer with the proprietors of the Telegram, Press and Star.
This committee made a verbal report at a meeting held September 21,
and also read an agreement between the compositors and Z. L. White
of the Star and Press, and one between the Union and Z. L. White.
A resolution was offered that Z. L. White be notified of the
termination of all agreements existing between Providence Typo-
graphical Union and himself 30 days from date of said notice.
Point of order raised that this meeting was called to consider the
question of " plate matter," and that the agreement could not be acted
upon.
The chair ruled the point not well taken.
Amendment was made that the agreement be continued. Ruled
out of order.
The original resolution was passed.
Notice of appeal to I. T. U. was given.
The following is the full text of the appeal in which is included the
agreement previously referred to :
"At a full meeting of the Star chapel, held Wednesday afternoon, September 23, 1885,
for the purpose of considering the action of Providence Typographical Union, No. 33, at
special meetings held September 17 and 21, it was voted unanimously to make an appeal
to the President of the International Typographical Union, and a committee was appointed
for that purpose. The following is their appeal :
"To MARTIN R. H. WITTER, PRESIDENT, INTERNATIONAL TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION:
"The undersigned, members of Providence Typographical Union, No. 33, do hereby
make an appeal to you, as President of the International Typographical Union, on the
points hereafter enumerated, and for the reasons herein stated:
"A call was issued, dated September 16, 1885, 5:30 o'clock P. M., by the executive
committee of Providence Typographical Union, No. 33, for a special meeting, to take
place on Thursday, September 17, 1885, at 5 P. M. The object of this meeting is: 'to
discuss the proposition of Mr. D. 0. Black to use plate matter on the Telegram.'
"Another call, stating the object of the meeting to be, 'to discuss the introduction of
plate matter into Union offices in this city,' was also posted in the Star office, but
Mr.
Palmer, a member of said executive committee, states that said call was changed in
s presence by the President of the Union, Mr. John P. Horan, after it ha
by the secretary, and without authorization from the executive committee.
102 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
" [ See Mr. William Palmer's affidavit, Exhibit I. See also Exhibit IV. We desire you
to rule on the legality of such a call.]
"At the special meeting of Thursday, September 17, Thomas L. Horan offered the
following:
"RESOLVED, That this Union insists that where plate matter is used in Union offices,
or in offices where Union men are employed, it shall be paid for at full composition rates,
and to that end proof slips of such matter shall be taken, cut up and placed upon the hook
as regular copy.
' "Seconded.
" Mr. Carroll made a point of order that the above resolution was establishing in part
a scale of prices, and therefore could not be legally considered at a special meeting. See
Articles XV. and XVI., viz:
"ARTICLE XV.
"SCALE OF PRICES.
"The scale of prices established by this Union shall, in all cases, be considered a part
of this constitution; and no member shall, on any pretense whatever, work for less prices
than are therein specified, without permission from this Union.
"ARTICLE XVI.
"ALTERING AND AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION.
"An alteration or amendment of this constitution must be offered at a regular meeting
of the Union, and, if seconded, shall be entered on the minutes. At the next stated
meeting it may be considered, and, if agreed to by the votes of two-thirds of the members
present, said number being not less than twenty, shall become a part of the constitution ;
provided, that any alteration or amendment receiving a unanimous vote at any regular
meeting shall become a part of this constitution without previous notice.
" The point of order was overruled and the decision of the chair sustained by a
majority vote.
"A substitute motion, to appoint a committee of five to confer with the proprietors of
the Morning Star and Evening Telegram, was moved and carried in place of the preceding
motion, and the committee was directed to report at an adjourned special meeting to be
holden on Monday, September 21, 1885, at 5 o'clock P. M.
"[We desire you to decide on the point of order stated above.]
"At the adjourned special meeting on Monday, September 21, the special committee
of five reported their interviews with Mr. Z. L. White, publisher of the Star, and with Mr.
D. 0. Black, publisher of the Telegram, but made no recommendations. Their report
disclosed the existence of a contract between Mr. Z. L. White and the printers in his
employ, which had been sanctioned by the Union.
"[For copies of agreement, etc., see Exhibit II.]
"The report of the committee also disclosed the fact that Mr. D. 0. Black did not
intend to use plate matter, but that he only wished the Union to take action to prevent
Mr. White from using it. The report was received.
" Mr. Tanner offered the following :
"RESOLVED, That the executive committee be instructed to notify Mr. Z. L. White of
the termination of any and all agreements existing between him and Providence Typo-
graphical Union, with the specified thirty days notice.
" Seconded.
"Mr. Carroll made a point of order that the above resolution was not in order, in that
the special meeting had been called to consider the subject of plate matter only.
"The point of order was overruled, an appeal to the Union taken, and the chair
sustained.
" The vote on the resolution was announced as 36 to 21 and the chair decided the
resolution carried.
"Mr. Carroll then called attention to Article IV, Section 1, of the constitution, viz:
"ARTICLE IV.
"DUTIES OF COMMITTEES.
"SECTION 1. The executive committee shall consist of five members (including the
recording secretary ); they shall have charge of all matters pertaining to the interests of
the craft, or such other business as may properly be laid before them ; they shall take,
in all cases ( except ordering strikes, ) such action as will further the good and welfare of
the Union ; they shall decide on all matters referred to them by a vote of the Union, and
their decision shall in all cases be binding until reversed by a two-thirds vote of the Union
at any meeting; they shall have power in cases of special emergency to appropriate
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 103
money out of the treasury by a unanimous vote of the committee; the secretary of the
Union, as presiding officer, shall have the casting vote in all the meetings of the committee.
"Mr. Carroll claimed that it required a two-thirds vote to reverse action taken by the
executive committee.
" The President ruled the point not well taken, and before a vote was reached on the
point of order, the meeting adjourned.
"[We desire you to rule on the two points — in regard to the legality of the special
meeting to break said agreement, and also on the required vote necessary to overturn a
decision of the executive committee.]
"At the regular meeting of September 27, the executive committee reported as follows :
"PROVIDENCE, R. I., Sept. 27, 1885.
"To THE OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION, No. 33:
" The executive committee would beg leave to report that it has acted on the matter
referred to it; namely, the resolution passed at the last special meeting of this Union,
and has decided, by a majority vote of the members of the committee, to give such notice
to Mr. Z. L. White of the termination of the contract or agreement existing between
Providence Typographical Union and the Star office management.
" The notice has been drawn up, and would have been sent on the 26th inst., but for
the fact that the signatures of all or a majority of the members of the committee could
not be obtained. The notice will be sent in to-morrow. The committee have been
directed by the President to instruct all members of the Union employed in the Star office
who have signed the contract or agreement between the employes and management of
the Press Company, whether members of the Union at the time of signing said contract
or agreement, or having since joined, to notify Mr. Z. L. White of the termination of said
contract or agreement, on the specified thirty days' notice, and the committee will so in-
struct the employes of the Star office after notice shall have been served on Mr. Z. L. White.
"According to a clause in the General Laws of the International Typographical Union,
entitled Suspensions, Agreements, page 154, all such contracts or agreements are illegal,
and the contract or agreement between this Union and the management of the Star office
is, therefore, null and void; but as the management of the Star office may not be aware
of that fact, it is deemed proper by the committee that they should give the thirty days'
notice called for by the contract or agreement, as a matter of courtesy on the part of
Providence Typographical Union.
"All of which is respectfully submitted.
"J. A. McGuiNNESS, Chairman,
" 0. M. GLEDHILL,
"CHARLES H. STILES,
"The report was adopted. "CHARLES H. McPHERSON, Executive Committee
"[We ask you to rule whether our agreement (Exhibit II.) with Mr. White, of the
Star, was illegal under the laws of the International Typographical Union.]
"The committee in making this appeal as directed by the Star chapel can say that
they, and those they represent, are actuated solely by a desire to secure justice and
harmony ; but they feel that if the proceedings of our Union are to be conducted in ways
that seem to them contrary to all the provisions of our local constitution and also contrary
to the spirit and letter of the general laws and all recognized parliamentary practice, that
there is no security for us in the future against unwise and hasty action.
"(Signed) "ROBERT GRIEVE,
"WILLIAM CARROLL,
"WILLIAM B. McCANN, Committee Star Chapel.
'JOSEPH C. BARKER, 'WILLIAM CARROLL,
' EDWIN W. SMITH, 'ROBERT GRIEVE,
'A. H. NUTTING, 'WILLIAM B. McCANN,
'S. T. TRIMMER, 'ROBERT W. CARLISLE,
' W. J. MEEGAN, ' JOHN DUFFY,
'H. A. DARLING, 'ELIAS S. NICKERSON,
'J.C.RYAN, 'R.J.CLOWES,
' WILLIAM PALMER, 'F. P. CREAMER,
" C. E. BURTWELL, "THOMAS H. PHILLIPS,
"A. P. BROWN, " E. L. PIKE.
"NOTE. Mr. Charles H. McPherson was one of two extra members added by the
President to the committee; but he was not at the time he was so appointed a member of
the Union, as his card had not been accepted at a meeting of the Union.
104 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
" It was voted by the Star chapel that Messrs. William Palmer and Robert Grieve,
members of the executive committee of Providence Typographical Union, No. 33, be re-
quested to transmit to the President of the International Typographical Union, a copy of
the statement they had made to the Star Chapel, as to what had occurred at a meeting of
the executive committee, Tuesday evening, September 20. The statement is as follows:
"[Copy.]
"A meeting of the executive committee of Providence Typographical Union, No. 33,
was held Tuesday evening, September 20, about 6 o'clock, in the editorial room of the
Evening Telegram. The whole committee, consisting of Messrs. McGuinness, Gledhill,
Stiles, Palmer and Grieve were present. After the satisfactory settlement of one point of
business, a discussion was entered into concerning the recent action of the Union, Messrs.
Grieve and Palmer holding it to be illegal, and Messrs. Stiles and Gledhill maintaining an
opposite view ; but still the discussion was being conducted in a very friendly and broth-
erly spirit. Early in the discussion, Mr. John P. Koran, President of the Union, came
in, and offered as an excuse that he was locked out of another part of the building, and
would consequently remain with the committee and listen. Nothing was said and he re-
mained. Mr. Stiles and Mr. Grieve in continuing the discussion, differed on the point as
to the bearing of the general laws of the International Typographical Union, in regard to
contracts between employers and employes, and Mr. Stiles was proceeding to show Mr.
Grieve the sections of the International law bearing on the subject, when Mr. Horan
objected, saying that he wished to hold that point in reserve for his own subsequent use.
Mr. Grieve then demanded from Mr. Horan what right he had to be present and take part
in the deliberations of the executive committee, and Mr. Horan answered that as President
of the Union, he had a right to be present and have a voice in doings of all committees.
Mr. Grieve refused to recognize that alleged right, and demanded from Mr. Stiles that he
proceed as if Mr. Horan was not present and had not objected ; but Mr. Stiles did not so
proceed. The discussion then went on in a general way for a few minutes longer, when an
interruption was again made by Mr. Horan, who, in an angry tone of voice said substan-
tially : ' If this discussion goes on as it is now doing, and the committee does not take the
action which it has been directed to do by the Union, I will within one hour add five more
members to the executive committee.' Mr. Palmer made a motion to adjourn, which was
seconded, but not put by the chair, whereupon Messrs. Palmer and Grieve departed,
refusing to stay longer after receiving, what seemed to them, an insult from the President
of the Union, or at least a threat from him that if they did not pursue a certain course he
would do certain things.
"( Signed ) " WILLIAM PALMER,
" ROBERT GRIEVE.
" [EXHIBIT I.]
"I, William Palmer, a member of Providence Typographical Union, No. 33, and also
one of the executive committee of said organization, depose and say that on Wednesday
evening, September 16, 1885, about 5:30 o'clock, I met John P. Horan, President of the
Union, on Custom House street, in said city, and Mr. Horan did then and there show me a
call, purporting to be issued by the executive committee, for a special meeting of said
Union, to be held next day, and said Horan changed the wording of the object of the call
in my presence, substituting the words 'Union offices,' for 'Telegram office,' and made
such other alterations as such change rendered necessary.
"WILLIAM PALMER.
" State of Rhode Island, Providence Plantations.
"Providence Sc.— Subscribed and sworn to before me, this 26th day of September, 1885.
" WILLIAM A. PHILLIPS, Notary Public.
" [EXHIBIT II.]
"[Copy.]
"PROVIDENCE, R. I., Feb. 26, 1884.
" It is mutually agreed between the Providence Press Co. and the compositors em-
ployed in its newspaper composing room, whose names are appended to this instrument :
" 1. That the Providence Press Co. will remove the restriction now in force in ac-
cordance with which it refuses to employ any printer who is a member of the printer's
Union.
"2. That the compositors whose names are hereunto appended, agree that, as long
as they are in the employ of the Providence Press Co., they will not engage in, counte-
nance nor advise any attempt on the part of any person or persons, whether in the employ
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 106
of the Providence Press Co. or not, to prevent, on account of his membership or non-
membership in any printers' Union, the employment of any compositor by the Providence
Press Co. in the usual manner, or the dismissal of any one upon the customary week's
notice for just cause. And further, that they will not interfere with the right of any
such printers to work unmolested on account of their connection or non-connection with
any printers' Union or other organization.
"3. It is further agreed by the compositors in the employ of the Providence Press
Co., whose names are appended to this, that they will not, while they remain in such em-
ploy, engage in, countenance nor advise interference by any printers' Union, or other
organization, with any of the internal arrangements of the Providence Press Co.'s office,
until all methods of adjustment provided in this agreement shall have failed, or with the
rates that shall be paid for labor, but will leave all such matters to be adjusted by mutual
agreement between employers and employes. And in case of disagreement in regard to
any of these matters, it is also agreed that the compositors aforesaid shall not inaugurate
nor engage in any strike in the office of the Providence Press Co., without having given
to the manager at least one month's notice of their intention to do so. And that said
Providence Press Co., on their part, agree to give one month's notice in writing to said
compositors before enforcing any change which may affect the interests of said composi-
tors, such notice on each side to date from the time when a definite decision shall have
been arrived at by either of the contracting parties.
"4. Any wilful violation of this agreement by any compositor in the employ of the
Providence Press Co. shall terminate it so far as it relates to him, and shall terminate also
his employment by the company.
"5. This agreement may be modified at any time by the mutual consent of the
parties to it, or it may be terminated by either party upon giving to the other not less
than 30 days' notice.
"PROVIDENCE PRESS CO.,
" Z. L. WHITE, Manager.
'FREDERICK M. SIMONS, "JAMES L. BlCKNELL,
' J. CROIL RYAN, " HENRY W. POTTER,
'S. T. B. TRIMMER, 'JOSEPH B. LEVENS,
•JOSEPH C. BARKER, ' MEYRICK WAITES,
'WILLIAM CARROLL, 'HENRY A. BARNES,
'EDWIN W. SMITH, 'H. A. DARLING,
'THOMAS M. NOLAN, 'WILLIAM PALMER,
'H. C. BARNES, 'D. MCCANN,
'JOHN LOCKLIN,
' HENRY R. SAWYER,
'G. W. WILSON,
' ELIAS S. NICKERSON,
' JOHN J. NOLAN,
'A. P. BROWN,
' GEORGE E. COOLEY,
' WILLIAM E. TOURTELLOT,
' J. J. HANLON."
"AHIRA HALL, "E. L. PIKE,
" C. E. BURTWELL,
A modification of this agreement was afterward made so that only
Union men could work in the office (excepting those men already em-
ployed there).
"[Copy.]
" PROVIDENCE, R. L, Feb. 26, 1884.
"We, the undersigned, members of the investigating committee, and officers of
Providence Typographical Union, No. 33, by virtue of the power vested in us by its con-
stitution, do hereby indorse and ratify the action of those of the members of said Union,
who have subscribed, or who may hereafter subscribe, to the agreement entered into
between the printers employed by the Providence Press Company and the manager
(Mr 2. L. White), on behalf of said company, this 26th day of February, 1884, by which
the restrictions against the employment of Union printers by the Providence Press Com-
pany are removed.
"EDWARD L. PIKE, Chairman Inves. Com.,
"JAMES M. GOULD,
" J. H. OLDFIELD,
"WILLIAM PALMER,
" MEYRICK WAITES, Pres. Typo. Union, No. 33.
"[Seal.] "J. A. McGuiNNESS, Cor. and Rec. Secy.
NOTE. The investigating committee under the constitution adopted at the reorgan-
ization of Typographical Union, No. 33, and the executive committee under its present
constitution are synonymous.
106 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
"[EXHIBIT III.]
"[Copy.]
" OFFICE OF THE PROVIDENCE PRESS Co.,
PROVIDENCE, R. I., Sept. 29, 1884.
"DEAR SIR — The Providence Press Company, having disposed of its newspaper prop-
erty, will have no further use for your services after the publication of the Press on
Tuesday, September 30.
"Truly yours,
"PROVIDENCE PRESS Co.,
" Z. L. WHITE, Manager.
"[Copy.]
" PROVIDENCE, R. I., Sept. 29, 1884.
"DEAR SIR— Having acquired the newspaper property of the Providence Press Com-
pany, I shall take possession after the publication of the Press on the 30th inst. I desire
to engage your services in the same position, at the same pay, and on the same conditions
as those upon which you have heretofore been employed by the Press Company.
"Truly yours,
"Z. L. WHITE.
"[EXHIBIT IV.]
"The call for the special meeting of September 17 on its face purported to come from
the executive committee of the Union, but Mr. William Palmer and Mr. Robert Grieve,
regular members of that committee, and members in good standing of the Union, who
were neither absent from the city nor in hiding, and who were both easily accessible, were
neither of them notified of any meeting of the executive committee immediately preceding
the special meeting of September 17, and knew nothing of it until they read the call.
" ( Signed ) " WILLIAM PALMER,
"ROBERT GRIEVE."
The President was authorized, at a meeting held November 1, to
choose two members of the Union to assist him in preparing an answer
to the Star chapel's appeal to the I. T. U.
By mutual consent, however, the appeal was withdrawn, but the
subject was not dead by any means.
At a special meeting held February 4, 1886, called by the executive
committee at the request of the Telegram chapel, the following question
was submitted for consideration :
" Shall members of this Union be permitted to work in newspaper offices where plates
or blocks, technically known as 'plate matter,' are used as reading matter to the exclusion
of composition?"
This was decided: Nay 64; yea 24.
At the same meeting it was moved and adopted, "that all matters
pertaining to 'plate matter' be, in the future, referred to the executive
committee with power to act."
The executive committee at a later meeting presented a resolution
to the effect that the use of plate matter to the exclusion of composition
was injurious to the members of this Union and the craft in general, and
that the delegate to the L T. U. convention to be held at Pittsburg be
instructed and directed to influence legislation preventing its manufac-
ture; and that they (the executive committee) be directed to inform
the proprietors of the different papers in this city that the Union con-
siders the use of plate matter detrimental to the interests of printers and
an imposition upon the public.
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 107
At this point William Carroll said that he understood that the chair-
man of the executive committee had in his possession a communication
from the President of the International Union on the subject before the
Union, and hoped that, if the gentleman had such a communication, it
would be read.
The chairman of the executive committee replied that the com-
mittee desired to retain for the present the information they had on the
subject.
The resolution was then adopted.
At the meeting following, March 7, 1886, it was voted that the
chairman of the executive committee read the communication referred
to at the last meeting.
The following were then read by Mr. Dolan :
[Telegram.]
"Sx. Louis, Feb. 8, 1886.
" To JOHN P. DOLAN, JOURNAL OFFICE.
" Executive Council will not support strike against plates. Will write.
"M. R. H. WITTER."
[Letter.]
"ST. Louis, Feb. 8, 1886.
"JOHN P. DOLAN, CHAIRMAN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:
"DEAR SIR — My telegram to you announces a decision formed by the executive
council soon after the laws went into effect, and is based on the divergence of opinion in
the craft as to the effect on the business of the use of plates — there being no agreement
whatever. While, therefore, the plates are under the jurisdiction of local Unions, the
executive council have uniformly declined to tax those (not a small number) who think
them no injury, to support a strike against their use.
"Hoping you will find some amicable settlement possible,
"I remain fraternally,
" M. R. H. WITTER, President I. T. U."
No action is recorded as having been taken on this communication,
which evidently afforded cold comfort to the "anti-platers," and for
three months the matter was held in abeyance.
In the meantime the executive committee having secured a copy of
the laws referred to in the President's communication, and with which
they were previously unfamiliar, decided to present to the meeting to
be held July 25, the following preamble and resolutions as the wisest
and best course to pursue in the premises:
"WHEREAS, Since the passage of the new laws touching upon plate matter by the
I. T. U., the use of said manufacture has increased in this jurisdiction to such an extent
that members of this Union have been thrown out of employment; therefore, it is
"RESOLVED, That a committee of three be appointed for the purpose of collecting
all the facts in relation to the question, and laying them before the executive council of
the I. T. U. for action.
" RESOLVED, That this Union believes its material interests to be threatened by the
continued use of 'plate' in its jurisdiction and request authority from the executive
council of the I. T. U. to strike against such use should other means fail to effect its dis-
continuance. And it is further
"RESOLVED, That in the event of said executive council refusing such authority to
strike, this Union demand of the President of the I. T. U. that he, or someone by him
appointed, personally visit Providence, investigate the matter and advise the Union of
its duty.
108 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
The matter was referred back to the executive committee to carry
out the recommendations.
Plate matter was not again mentioned until the November meeting.
Dr. L. F. C. Garvin and Robert Grieve, from the Board of Directors of The
People, were allowed to address the assembly. Their statements were
to the effect that they would have to reduce the force in the composing
room of The People and intended to use plate matter in the columns of
that paper.
This renewed the controversy and plate matter continued as a live
topic until April 27, 1887. At that meeting reference to the subject was
made in form of a resolution praying that the International Union take
positive stand in opposition to its manufacture.
From the time of the introduction of the controversy to the period
of its conclusion, the changes wrought in the printorial affairs of Provi-
dence were of a kaleidoscopic character. To summarize: The Star
and Press were of those to be remembered. The Item, launched auspi-
ciously, had foundered, and The Republican, issuing from the wreck, had
grounded in the shallows of poverty; The Evening Mail, a democratic
organ, had been attuned to life and died of dividendal discord. Plate
matter had made its appearance in the columns of The Telegram, and
many of those printers who had, in the past, bitterly antagonized its
employment were now its flaccid defenders or silent witnesses to its
extensive use. And as a finial to the "pot metal" debate, suppressing
further discussion of that matter without restoring the compositors'
equanimity, came the announcement of the introduction of typesetting
machines in the office of the Journal.
At the January (1885) meeting a clipping from one of the daily
papers of this city was read, announcing the establishment of a depart-
ment of instruction in printing at the State Reform School. After pro-
longed discussion it was voted that the executive committee investigate
the matter and report upon the advisability of holding a public meeting
to protest against the creation of such a department. After listening
to the report of the executive committee at the next meeting action
was indefinitely postponed.
It was believed by those who favored its abolition that the instruc-
tion to be dispensed would not redound to the benefit of the craft nor
to the dignity of the art, and an examination of the work produced at
the school and an acquaintance with some of its " graduates " proves
that the apprehension felt at that time was entirely correct.
In addition to his report, made June 28, the International delegate
presented a resolution of thanks to George W. Childs of the Philadelphia
Ledger, for his courteous invitation to the I. T. U. delegates to visit him
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 109
at his home in Philadelphia, free of expense. The resolution was adopted,
and the delegate, William Carroll, was thanked for his able representation
of No. 33 at the convention.
The inquiry committee was instructed at the August meeting to
ascertain the names of all non-union printers then employed in the city.
The committee evidently failed of its purpose as no report is entered in
the books.
A preamble and resolution of censure, directed against those indi-
viduals known as " frame jumpers," was offered at the August meeting
and was referred to the delegate to the I. T. U. Several special meet-
ings were held during September for the purpose of discussing " plate
matter," and at the time of the holding of the regular September meet-
ing, the delegate, having more important business on hand, failed to
report on that particular matter. The phraseology of the preamble and
resolution is unfortunately omitted from the minutes, but the author is
named and, to those who know the gentleman, it does not require a
very vivid imagination to glean from between the lines of the simple
announcement of its introduction, the tenor of the resolution, nor to
fancy the causticity of its vituperation. Many of the travelling frater-
nity— the itinerant subs — had a weakness for accepting work and failing
to fulfill the engagement, to the great annoyance of the lords of the com-
posing room. Joseph C. Barker, the father of the resolution referred
to, was not a foreman at that time, but evidently sympathized with the
unhappy lot of the holders of that responsible situation.
At a special meeting held September 21, Mr. McKay, " a gentleman
from the Cigarmakers Union of Pawtucket," was given the privilege of
the floor, and he asked that the Union use its influence in suppressing
the sale of cigars called " Roman Punch," the labels on which had been
surreptitiously obtained. These cigars were on sale at a place much
frequented by printers, and the. committee appointed to handle the
matter reported at the regular meeting, held one week later, that they
had succeeded in accomplishing the object for which they had been
appointed.
The permanent organization of the Rhode Island Co-operative
Printing and Publishing Company was announced at an adjourned
meeting held November 1.
A change in the management of the Providence Journal Company
was regarded by the Union as a favorable opportunity to have the re-
strictions against the employment of Union men in that office removed.
As a result of a " chapel strike " in the Journal office June 12, 1875, the
management drew up the following card, to which all printers subse-
quently employed in that establishment were obliged to subscribe:
110 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
" Some years ago, when the compositors in the Journal office were ordered to leave
their employment without notice, on a question involving less than 25 cents a month, by
the votes of men working for a lower rate of compensation, the publishers of the Journal
decided that thereafter they would employ no men whose responsibility to any outside
organization was greater than to the men for whom they had contracted to work. Under
these circumstances, which imply a non-affiliation with any organization in this city
known as a Printers' Union, if you desire employment on the Journal, will you please re-
turn this card with your name upon it. We wish to influence no man in the independent
management of his own concerns, and simply intend to maintain the same rights for our-
selves which we freely concede to all others.
"KNOWLES, ANTHONY & DANIELSON."
July, 1885, an editorial, very favorable to organized labor, appeared
in the Journal. A letter was sent to Richard S. Rowland, the new
manager, quoting the editorial and asking that he concede to the em-
ployes of his composing room, and to the other printers of the city, the
privileges advocated in the article. July 15 a sub-committee, delegated
by a committee appointed for the purpose, was received by Mr. Rowland,
and the question of abolishing the requirement of signing the above card
was discussed. Mr. Rowland said he desired to confer with his associates
before acceding to the Union's request, but would later communicate
with the committee. His reply was unfavorable, undoubtedly because
the employes of the old management had become the advisers of the new.
It was then decided to boycott the publications of the Journal Company.
The matter was taken up by the Central Labor Union and District
Assembly K. of L., and a joint committee from those two organizations
made effort to have the card withdrawn. October 25, 1885, this joint
committee was given the courtesy of the floor of the Union, and reported
that Mr. Rowland was willing to remove the restriction provided it could
be demonstrated that it would be to the interest of all concerned.
A committee was then appointed to act in conjunction with the
joint committee with that object in view.
At the meeting held November 30, this committee reported that
the mission for which it had been appointed had been accomplished.
During the space of one month the committee had secured from Mr.
Rowland an agreement to submit the matter to arbitration, had selected
arbitrators, and had successfully presented their case before the arbitra-
tion board. The following are copies of the official reports as recorded:
"PROVIDENCE, R. L, November 28, 1885.
"To THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION, No. 33:
"Your committee appointed to boycott the Providence Journal Company respectfully
announce that they have accomplished the object for which they were appointed and that
the restrictive card heretofore existing in the Journal office has been removed, and
appended are fac-simile copies of decisions of the arbitration committee. We also desire
to make honorable mention of the Newsdealers' Protective Union, and recommend the
members thereof to the patronage of our members as recompense for the aid afforded.
" Respectfully submitted,
" C. H. STILES, Chairman,
"JOSEPH C. BARKER,
"RICHARD J. FAULKNER.
"Committee of Providence Typo. Union, No. 33.
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 111
"(Copy.)
" TERMS OF AGREEMENT.
"Mr. Rowland agrees to submit to an arbitration board consisting of two members
chosen by himself, two members chosen by organized labor, and one member to be ap-
pointed by the four thus chosen, the question as to whether the restrictive card now in force
in the Journal office, prohibiting the employment of Union men shall be removed or not.
" On behalf of the Journal,
"R. S. ROWLAND, Manager.
"On behalf of organized labor,
" J. P. KORAN,
"JOSEPH NORMANDY.
"A true copy attest,
" C. H. STILES, Secretary.
"PROVIDENCE, R. I., Nov. 28, 1885.
" To TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION, No. 33.
" GENTLEMEN — The arbitrators appointed by your committee to meet the representa-
tives of Mr. Howland, beg leave to report that they have concluded their labors, and are
proud to record that the struggle has terminated entirely in favor of your organization.
Not only has the card been removed, but the arbitrators have, in their decision, seen fit
to introduce some very complimentary remarks with regard to the Providence Typo-
graphical Union. Appended is the decision, signed by the full board. Congratulating
you upon the result of our joint labors, we remain,
"Respectfully and fraternally yours,
"JOHN P. HORAN,
"JAMES A. McKAY.
"Arbitrators representing organized labor.
"A true copy attest,
"C. H. STILES, Secretary.
"PROVIDENCE, R. I., Nov. 24, 1885.
" The undersigned, who were appointed arbitrators under the foregoing agreement,
have heard the parties and their allegations and evidence, and do find and determine that
the restrictive card now in force in the Journal office, prohibiting the employment of
members of the Typographical Union, causes injury to the Union, and that the with-
drawal of the requirement to sign the card will work no present injury to the Providence
Journal Company. The arbitrators are further satisfied that the present purposes and
policy of the Typographical Union are not such as to threaten any unfair action toward
the Company or their employes, and they do therefore decide that those employed by the
Company shall no longer be required to sign the card.
"G. M. CARPENTER,
" A. B. CHACE,
"LuciAN SHARPE,
"JOHN P. HORAN,
"JAMES A. McKAY,
"A true copy attest, "Board of Arbitrators.
"C. H. STILES, Secretary.
"JOSEPH NORMANDY, Chairman."
William Carroll, who had presented the Union's argument before
the board, was appointed a committee to draw up suitable resolutions
of thanks to the members of the arbitration board.
Out of a total of 57 men in the composing room of the Journal at
that time (November, 1885,) 39 were Union men.
The matters considered during 1886 were mostly of minor import-
ance, but the "plate matter" question added zest to dull routine through-
out the year.
Resolutions denunciatory of the copyright bill introduced by Senator
Hawley, and endorsing the bill of Senator Chace, were adopted at the
112 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
January meeting and forwarded to the Senators and Representatives of
Rhode Island.
At the March meeting the Union appropriated $10 for the purpose
of assisting to defray the expense of a constitutional amendment torch-
light parade.
At the same meeting the proposed amalgamation of trades unions
with the Knights' of Labor was discussed. The matter was to be acted
upon at the convention of the I. T. U., and while the opinion was held
that such amalgamation, in so far as the Typographical Union was con-
cerned, was inadvisable, the delegate to the I. T. U. convention was not
instructed as to his vote in the matter.
May 30, 1886, the following scale of prices was adopted :
"FOR NIGHT WORK.
" 1. Composition, 40 cents per 1000 ems.
" 2. Work by the hour, to be paid for at the rate of 40 cents per hour.
" 3. Tabular matter shall be paid for as follows : Five columns of figures or words,
or words and figures, with or without rules, double price; three or four columns of figures
or words, price and a half; type set in half measure which shall contain two columns of
figures or words in each half stick, price and a half.
"4. Copy shall be furnished continuously for seven hours from the calling of
'time/ and all waiting time within said seven hours shall be paid for at the rate of
40 cents per hour.
" 5. All single measure cuts in reading matter shall be measured by the compositor."
Substituting 35 cents for 40 cents, the scale for day work was iden-
tical with that for night work.
A miscellaneous addenda provided for the payment for all changes
from copy made in the proof, and the payment of $1 to the compositor
who might be called to accommodate the office after work had been
commenced.
At the June meeting John Mulleda and Patrick F. McGrath, repre-
senting the Journeymen Bricklayers' and Masons' Union, were given the
privilege of the floor and pleaded for financial assistance in a struggle
then being waged by that Union for a shorter workday. Typographical
Union responded by voting $50 — almost depleting No. 33's treasury — to
the Bricklayers.
A situation on a co-operative weekly newspaper proved no sinecure
to the Union printer, and because of a denial by the Rhode Island Co-
operative Printing and Publishing Co. of many "rights" demanded and
received of the capitalistic press, that company was time and again
reported as violating the scale. Committees appointed had failed to
make the issue fully clear to the board of directors of that concern, and
at the May meeting a committee was appointed to explain to the board
the "real" trouble between the Union and that paper. This committee
reported at the August meeting that it had complied with instructions
from the Union, but that no answer had been received from the board
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 113
of directors as promised. President Horan then produced and read a
letter which he had received from the secretary of the Rhode Island
Co-operative Printing and Publishing Co. It was moved that the report
of the committee be received and that the letter read by the President
be laid on the table. Amended that the letter be laid " under " the
table; the amendment was adopted.
An appeal from Cleveland Union was read at the September meet-
ing. The appeal stated that owing to a technicality Cleveland Union
was not entitled to benefits from the "strike fund/' then in operation,
and a circular, signed by the executive council, was attached, which
stated that after careful investigation it had concluded that local Unions
would be doing a noble act in assisting Cleveland Union in its battle with
the Cleveland Leader. The secretary was instructed to communicate
and ascertain as to the technicality. At the December meeting the
Union donated $20 to Cleveland Union.
A flurry was caused by the action of a member at the October
meeting. Balloting upon the name of a candidate had just been com-
pleted and upon the announcement of the candidate's election this
member " arose from his seat and approaching the President, threw his
card upon the desk and withdrew from the meeting." A committee was
immediately appointed to take possession of the card and to ascertain
the reason for such action on the part of a member. A satisfactory
apology was made to this committee by the offender and no further ac-
tion was taken by the Union in the matter. Later on it was voted that
all reference to the matter be stricken from the books.
The first banquet and social of the reorganized Union was held
Thanksgiving night, 1886, in Slocum Light Guards' Armory. Gelb &
Norton were the caterers on that occasion, and the Alpine Orchestra fur-
nished the music for the dance which followed. Thomas L. Horan acted
as toastmaster of the post prandial exercises, and F. J. Crandall, editor
of the Telegram, being unable to be present, responded by letter to
the first toast, "The President of the United States." Messrs. Barnes,
Elsbree, Hurley and Stratton, a quartette of members from the Journal
office, then sang, and was followed by President John P. Horan in re-
sponse to the toast, " Providence Typographical Union." Mrs. Maxime
Bourett read an original poem, filled with allusions to the craft. " Our
Honorary Members" was eloquently responded to by Hon. George J.
West. Other toasts were responded to as follows : " The Press," Martin C.
Day of the Journal; " Our Chapels," by Andrew Moran of the Journal,
James H. Russell of the Telegram, J. Croil Ryan of the Star, and
Howard E. Sherman of the Dispatch. Joseph Newton of the Journal
and Al. Devenish of J. A. & R. A. Reid's, were heard in comic songs.
114 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
The last toast of the evening, "The Ladies" was responded to by 0. M.
Remington of the Dispatch. At the close of the literary exercises the
hall was cleared for dancing and soon all were " footing it to a merry
measure." The committee in charge of the affair were : William Carroll,
of the Star ; William M. Leavitt, of the Journal ; James J. Murray, of
the What Cheer Print ; William Palmer, Star ; and Thomas L. Koran,
Telegram. Letters of regret were read by the toastmaster from Hon.
George M. Carpenter, Judge of the United States Circuit Court ; A. M.
Williams, editor of the Journal ; R. S. Rowland, manager of the Journal
and others.
At the December meeting the Hon. George M. Carpenter was
elected to honorary membership, and the secretary received in answer
the following reply which was read at the January meeting :
"UNITED STATES COURTS,
" PROVIDENCE R. I., Jan. 25, 1887.
" MR. JOHN P. DOLAN, CORRESPONDING AND RECORDING SECRETARY :
"DEAR SIR— I have your favor of 24th instant notifying me that the Providence
Typographical Union have voted to place my name on their honorary roll. I accept with
much pleasure this expression of your regard, and with best wishes for the prosperity of
your members, I remain,
" My dear Sir,
"Yours, very truly,
"G. M. CARPENTER."
The auditing committee at the January, 1887, meeting added the
following to its seport:
" Your committee desires to call attention to the large amount of money collected by
the secretary, Owen M. Gledhill, and to express their unanimous approval of his manner
of conducting the affairs of his office. Not an obscure or doubtful point appears in his
accounts, and all moneys have been handed over to their proper custodian."
Because of ill health Mr. Gledhill tendered his resignation at the
same meeting. The resignation was regretfully accepted, and the re-
tiring secretary was further thanked by the Union. Later, before
turning over his books to his successor, Mr. Gledhill discovered a short-
age of $7.90 in his accounts, explained how the error occurred, and
asked that the auditing committee be excused for overlooking the item.
At the February meeting the secretary was instructed to notify the
Hon. George J. West that he was welcome to attend any and all meetings
of the Union. This action was taken in recognition of Mr. West's legal
services gratuitously given to the Union. Mr. West was formerly a
printer and a member of the Union and at the time this resolution was
passed was an honorary member.
March 27, 1887, vote was taken for the election of two delegates to
the Buffalo convention of the I. T. U. There were four candidates in
the field and 113 votes were cast. Joseph N. B. Meegan and James P.
Bowes were elected by large majorities. Sixty dollars each was the
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 115
amount appropriated for the delegates' expenses. The nine-hour pro-
position was voted on at this meeting and resulted in a vote of 52 for,
10 against.
In compliance with the request of the I. T. U. it was voted at the
April meeting that an assessment, equal to the scale price of 1000 ems,
be levied on all working cards on the occasion of the birthday of
George W. Childs, the same to be applied to the fund then being estab-
lished that the Childs-Drexel gift might be accepted. At the August
meeting a letter from Mr. Daily of the Childs-Drexel Fund was read,
acknowledging the receipt of $50.75.
The committee appointed to incorporate the Union under the State
Laws reported at the May meeting, and presented the charter to the
Union. The report was received as one of progress and the committee
instructed to glean full information as to the legal phase of the charter
before the same be accepted. At the January, 1888, meeting the final
report of the committee was presented and accepted, and the charter
hung on the wall.
At the same meeting the following resolution was adopted :
"RESOLVED, That we respectfully recommend to His Excellency Governor Davis the
appointment of Josiah B. Bowditch as commissioner of Industrial Statistics, being well
assured of his ability in statistical pursuits and of his impartial and incorruptible char-
acter as a man and in full sympathy with the purposes for which the Bureau of Indus-
trial Statistics was created."
It was voted that a committee be appointed to lay the matter before
the governor, and at the next meeting the committee reported that Mr.
Bowditch had been appointed to the position.
The cigarmakers' label was discussed at the May meeting, and the
members earnestly urged to purchase none but "blue label" cigars, and
at many subsequent meetings this manner of assisting the cigarmakers
was advocated. The May meeting was held in the composing room of
the Telegram, because admittance to the hall could not be had.
The Union was requested at the July meeting to adopt some meas-
ure to relieve the dullness of "subbing " on the Telegram. The matter
was left in the hands of the executive committee.
A motion appointing a committee to solicit subscriptions for a ban-
ner was reconsidered, after listening to an appeal from Indianapolis
Union, and it was voted to send $6 a month to that Union as long as its
strike lasted. The chairmen of the different offices were instructed to
collect by subscription as much as possible for this purpose and thereby
relieve the treasury. The following is a supplementary appeal received
from Indianapolis:
" INDIANAPOLIS, IND., July 27, 1887.
" To SISTER UNIONS :
"We appeal to you, in this, our time of need, to assist us financially to the extent of
your ability, to enable us to continue the fight against the rat Protective Fraternity, who
116 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
have come upon us about seventy-five strong, and captured the Morning Journal and
Sentinel offices.
" Their unmolested stay here will be a menace to all sister Unions, and give them
courage to attempt the capture of other offices at the first opportunity. They boast
openly of their intentions of doing so.
" Hoping to have a favorable reply from your Union at the earliest possible date,
we remain,
" Yours fraternally,
"THE COMMITTEE."
At the August meeting acknowledgement of the receipt of $22 by
Indianapolis Union was read, and at the September meeting it was
announced that $16 additional had been contributed. At the December
meeting contributions to Indianapolis Union were suspended.
At the June meeting, under the head of reports of chairmen, that
officer for the Telegram stated that he had no report to make. It was
then voted that the report be accepted.
A committee was appointed to make arrangements for the Union
to take part in a labor demonstration to be held July Fourth, under the
auspices of the Central Labor Union. At the July meeting $4 was
ordered to be paid to the C. L. U. as Typographical Union's share of the
expenses incurred on that occasion. Three dollars additional was voted
at the August meeting.
A communication from Boston in relation to Boston printers coming
to Providence on an excursion was read at the July meeting, and a
committee on entertainment appointed. August 24 a game of base-ball
was played between nines representing Providence and Boston printers
on the grounds corner of Atwell's avenue and Eagle street. These
grounds are now covered by the buildings of the Providence Brewing
Co. September the committee reported that the Boston printers had
been royally entertained and that it held a balance of $12.42. This sum
was voted a member who had been on the sick list for a long time.
It was voted in August to publish in The Craftsman, a printers'
publication issued at New York, a notice to printers to stay away from
Providence for the present.
At the September meeting the secretary was instructed to notify
the delegates to the Central Labor Union to attend to the duties of their
office or suffer the provided penalties.
The financial secretary was ordered to prepare a list of all non-
union men and send the same to the State Deputy.
"Cashing strings" was discussed at the October meeting, and the
chairman of the Telegram office was instructed to investigate and
report at the next meeting as to the allegations that the practice was
employed to the extent of abuse in that chapel. The chairman reported
by letter at the November meeting, and by amendment to the motion,
2 ^
Ii
S3
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 117
that the letter be laid on the table, the executive committee was given
charge of the matter.
A "string" was the "pasted and measured" result of a printer's
day's labor, and its value was determined by its total "ems." The im-
provident printer, in need of ready money, sacrificed his "string" to
"Shylock," a fixture in every printing office in the hand-set days. Five
per cent, was the minimum charged by "Shylock" for the accommoda-
tion, and to the discount the impecunious printer cheerfully acquiesced.
International law proscribed the practice of members taking advantage
of their more unfortunate brothers, and in those offices where attempt
was made to enforce that law the business was transferred to another,
usually employed about the building, but not a member of the Union.
In the office under investigation Shylock was known as the " Boiler," no
doubt because the individual who cashed the strings was employed as
engineer, and instead of " cashing " the practice was referred to as
" boiling."
Nothing was done about the matter as far as the reports of the
executive committee show.
At the November meeting the Union voted to exempt female mem-
bers from all dues and assessments.
A letter was read from Chicago Union asking for a loan of money,
and the same was laid on the table for one month. At an adjourned
meeting, held December 18, 1887, a circular from the executive council
of the I. T. U. was read in relation to the strike at Chicago, urging the
assessment of $1 on each member of the Union for the purpose of aiding
Chicago Union, and a committee, consisting of Messrs. DeLeeuw, Duggan
and Sullivan, was appointed to solicit subscriptions from members. It
was also voted to have 200 copies of that appeal printed and circulated.
The committee reported at the January meeting, after which the Pres-
ident read a letter received from I. T. U. headquarters, in which it was
claimed that a certain amount was due the I. T. U. because of the
assessment above referred to. The following letter was then drawn up
and ordered sent to the executive council, I. T. U. :
"To THE HONORABLE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF THE I. T. U.:
"Just previous to receiving your circular recommending (for such was the interpre-
tation put upon it by this Union,) a per capita assessment of one dollar to aid the Chicago
strike, we received an appeal from the Chicago Union asking financial aid. Our funds
being very low no immediate aid was rendered, but the matter was still under consider-
ation when your circular was received. The question was discussed at length, and it was
argued that in view of the numerous assessments in the past, and the raising of dues
10 cents per member, as ordered by the I. T.U., it would be to the detriment of this Union
to levy a compulsory assessment at this time. It was therefore voted to make the assess-
ment a voluntary one, and the sum of $44 was collected and forwarded to the Chicago
Union."
118 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
It would be a pity to overlook this entry under date of November
27,1887:
"A motion was made and seconded that the Union remain in its present quarters and
that the hall committee look around for a better hall."
Could it have been that the Union had become tired of the presence
of its hall committee? Or, perchance, did the Union believe that an or-
namental body like its hall committee should occupy more luxurious
quarters ?
At the November meeting a committee of six, including the Pres-
ident, was appointed to arrange for a grand ball. The committee stated
at the adjourned meeting, held December 18, that the ball would be held
February 14, 1888, in the Emmett Guards' Armory, the music to be fur-
nished by Alpine Orchestra. It was also stated that tickets would be
sold for not less than $1. At the regular December meeting the com-
mittee was instructed by motion not to allow the sale of intoxicating
liquors at that function, but at a special meeting, held January 6, 1888,
called for the purpose of reconsidering that motion, the point was raised
that the Union had no right to further instruct its committee, after
giving it full power, without first reconsidering the vote giving it that
power. The chair decided the point well taken, and that the prohib-
tory motion passed at the last regular meeting was null and void.
Appeal was taken from the decision, but the chair was sustained.
Charles G. Wilkins injected the point, to the discomfort of the purists
and the joy of the other fellows. By the way, a careful scrutiny of the
minutes fails to reveal wherein the committee was given full power.
The original committee consisted of James H. Russell, chairman ; John C.
Hurll, James J. Murray, John E. Hurley, William Donovan and John A.
O'Niell. John C. Hurll resigned, and it was voted to fill the vacancy,
but his successor is not named in the minutes. Forty-seven dollars was
the amount added to the treasury as the accrued profit on that occasion,
and " it was voted that the thanks of the Union be tendered to Andrew P.
Martin for services rendered at the ball." Mr. Martin, an honorary mem-
ber of the Union, was at that time a member of the police force of the
city and at the present time occupies the position of warrant officer.
The Portland, Ore., locked-out printers were assisted by the pur-
chase of a package of tickets at the adjourned meeting held December
18, 1887. The resignation of James J. Murray as treasurer was accepted
at this meeting, and for his long and faithful service in that office he
was rewarded with a vote of thanks.
At the regular meeting held December 25, 1887, Mr. Jolly " moved
that a folding board, for the purpose of hanging up reports, be pro-
cured." The motion was lost. January 29, 1888, Mr. Jolly renewed
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 119
his motion, viz : " That a folding board be purchased." This motion
was indefinitely postponed. At the same meeting he proposed that a
" board " be purchased, and that motion was lost. February 26, 1888,
Mr. Jolly moved to reconsider; lost again. December 30, 1888, ten
months later, Mr. Jolly gave notice that at the next meeting he would
introduce a resolution that the Union purchase a folding board. In so
far as the January, 1889, meeting is concerned the records show that
that notice was a " jolly," but at the February meeting Mr. Jolly pro-
duced the resolution and the Union rewarded his persistence by adopting
it. Mr. Jolly was appointed a committee of one to purchase the folding
board, the expense being limited to $6.
The details of this matter are not given to demonstrate the value of
a folding board, but to emphasize the importance of keeping everlast-
ingly at it. Mr. Jolly's achievement is a practical illustration of the
success which attends persistent endeavor intelligently directed.
At the regular meeting held January 29, a committee of seven was
appointed to work up membership among job printers.
John C. Kuril, on behalf of A. Judson Keach, presented the Union
with a memorial tablet at the February meeting. The secretary was
ordered to return thanks to Mr. Keach, and to have the tablet framed.
Provision for the election of a delegate to the I. T. U. was made
at the February meeting, and William M. Leavitt, Alvah Withee, F. F.
Sorbie, B. Murphy, J. H. Russell and N. J. Rodgers were placed in nom-
ination. The contest proved to be the most bitter ever waged for the
honor. There had been hustling and protests before, as there have
been since, but in this case the battle was carried to the floor of the
convention, which was held that year at Kansas City, Mo.
A recess was taken at the March meeting for the purpose of bal-
loting for delegate, and after counting the votes the tellers appointed
for that purpose announced the following result : Leavitt 53, Russell 48,
Sorbie 13, Murphy 9, and six protested ballots, sealed and not counted.
A motion was made that the report be received and the tellers dis-
charged. Amended that the report be received, the six protested ballots
counted and resealed. The chair ruled that the protested ballots could
not be counted pending a decision from the President of the I. T. U.
Appeal was taken, and the ruling of the chair was not sustained. The
amendment was then passed, and the tellers recounted the vote, in-
cluding the protested ballots, and announced as the result : Leavitt 53,
Russell 53, Sorbie 13, Murphy 10.
It was then voted to take another ballot because of the tie, and
to keep the polls open one hour. In the meantime many of the mem-
bers, believing the matter had been settled for the time being, had left
120 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
the hall, while some others who remained refused to take part in the
second election. The result of the vote, as reported by the tellers, was :
Russell 48, Leavitt 38. Mr. Leavitt gave notice of appeal.
At the April meeting the President read a letter from the President
of the International Union, and declared William M. Leavitt elected
delegate to the I. T. U. convention. Mr. Russell gave notice of appeal to
the convention. The convention committee, to whom the controversy
was submitted, recommended that both delegates be seated, for the rea-
son that Providence Union was entitled to two delegates and because
the contestant had travelled so great a distance. At the same time the
committee made plain that Mr. Leavitt was the one regularly elected.
The question as to whom should be paid the voted expenses of delegate
then agitated the placid deliberations of the Union. Both principals to
the controversy were about equally represented at the meetings of the
Union and motions, amendments, points of order, etc., with oratory,
combined to delay definite action. At the May meeting a motion that
the sum of $127 be sent to the secretary-treasurer of the I. T. U., to be
paid over to the seated delegate, was declared out of order by the Pres-
ident. An appeal was taken from this decision which the chair refused
to entertain. A resolution expressing a lack of confidence in the chair
was presented and the President vacated his seat. The Vice-President
then refused to entertain the resolution, and amid great confusion the
Vice-President declared the meeting adjourned. Mr. Leavitt made a
report as delegate to the I. T. U. convention at the June meeting, which
was received and laid on the table, and it was voted that the $127 be
held by the Union until the International secretary-treasurer be heard
from. The secretary's letter, which was read at the July meeting, did
not settle the matter, however, and the executive committee was in-
structed to ask the President of the I. T. U. to decide who was entitled
to the money. The decision of the President was unfavorable to Mr.
Russell, and Mr. Leavitt was voted the $127, so long held up, at the
August meeting.
The following is a copy of the letter which brought the delegate
wrangle to a close :
"INTERNATIONAL TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION,
, "OFFICE OF PRESIDENT,
" INDIANAPOLIS, IND., August 11, 1888.
"RUDOLPH DELEEUW, CHAIRMAN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL
UNION, No. 33:
"DEAR SIR— Yours of 8th inst. is at hand, submitting to me the question: 'Who was
the legally elected delegate as recognized by the convention, and who is entitled to the
money voted by said Union to its delegate? (No. 33 voted to send but one delegate.)'
" Supplemental report of committee on credentials (I copy from proof of their report
verified by original report ) says : ' Your committee has carefully gone over the papers
and affidavits presented by the regularly accredited delegate from Union No. 33, Provi-
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 121
dence, Mr. Leavitt, and also those of Mr. Russell, the contestant for the former's seat,
and after giving both gentlemen a verbal hearing, are unanimously inclined to the belief
that Mr. Leavitt is entitled to the contested seat in the convention. Both gentlemen
have come quite a distance to attend the session of this convention, and both would evi-
dently have been sent as delegates had Providence Union felt able financially to do so;
therefore, in the interest of harmony and in view of the fact that Union No. 33 is entitled
to two delegates, the committee unanimously recommend that both gentlemen be given
seats in this convention.'
"This report was signed by the members of the committee and adopted by the con-
vention, and gives the contested seat to Mr. Leavitt. [As your Union intended to elect
but one delegate, and made provision for but one, the emoluments, if any, should of right
go to the delegate who was declared to be entitled to the seat. Under the law as it then
was (see Con. Art. II, Section I, p. 160 Proc. 1887,) the International Typographical Union
had nothing to do with the pay of delegates, the subordinate Unions and the delegates
being interested only]. I think there can be no question as to which of these two gentle-
men was entitled to the seat under the ruling of the convention.
" Fraternally,
"EDWARD T. PLANK, Pres. I. T. U."
To take up the important doings of the Union during the months
in which the delegate question was a live topic, necessitates a return to
the April meeting, at which Mr. Wilkins gave notice that at the next
meeting he would " rise to a question of distinguished privilege." As
recorded above, the May meeting, at which Mr. Wilkins was scheduled
to "rise," was abruptly adjourned by the Vice-President, which may ac-
count for no reference in the minutes to Mr. Wilkins' ascension. At
the November meeting, however, the gentleman did "rise" under the
specified conditions, but the altitude attained cannot be learned by
reading the minutes of that meeting. The " distinguished privilege "
became rather popular, and for a while afterward different members
availed themselves of the opportunities afforded by the introduction of
that edifying exercise.
For neglect of duties the delegates to the Central Labor Union
were requested to tender their resignations at the July meeting, and
a new set of delegates were elected.
A committee was appointed at the July meeting to prepare a book
and job scale of prices and to revise the newspaper scale. This com-
mittee presented a printed report at a special meeting called Novem-
ber 15, and that part of the scale relating to the newspaper branch
was, with some amendments, adopted at that meeting, adjournment
being had to November 18 for consideration of the book and job scale.
After the adoption of the job scale by sections, ballot was taken on the
adoption of the scale as a whole, which resulted in a unanimous vote.
A committee, consisting of Messrs. Wilkins, Coogan and Ward, for the
newspaper branch ; and Donovan, Murray and Vinal for the job branch,
was appointed to interview employers as to their acceptance of the scale.
The committee made a report at the regular meeting November 25, 1888,
but the nature of the report is not given. It is remembered, however,
that the report was not very encouraging. The Telegram management
122 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
could not be induced to sign, and only a verbal agreement was had with
the Dispatch proprietors, the scale to go into effect at the latter office
February 25, 1889.
The formation of Pawtucket Union, No. 212, was announced at the
November meeting.
The summary discharge of three members of the Union in the
Telegram office was the subject of discussion at a special meeting held
December 11. A yea and nay vote taken at the meeting shows that 99
members were present. A motion that a committee be appointed to
investigate the matter was lost. It was then voted that the executive
committee demand the immediate reinstatement of the three discharged
members. The reason for the discharge of the men is not divulged
by the minutes. Briefly stated the facts are : Messrs. Ayres, Boomer,
McGuinness and Wilkins began the publication of a weekly newspaper
(The Paper) devoted to labor matters. Ayres, Boomer and Wilkins
held situations on the Telegram, and in the second issue of The Paper
there appeared an article offensive to D. 0. Black, then publisher of the
Telegram, for which he ordered the discharge of the men last named.
At the regular meeting, December 29, the executive committee reported
that the three men had been reinstated.
The reinstatement of the men was accomplished, however, only by
resort to the " strike," which was ordered by the executive committee
at 7 o'clock Saturday evening, December 15, 1888. The management
of the Telegram capitulated, and the men returned to work at 8.30 the
same evening. Twenty-nine men and three apprentices were involved
in the trouble.
A committee was appointed October 28, 1888, to prepare for a ban-
quet and social to be held Thanksgiving night, November 29. Slocum
Light Guards' Armory was the scene of the festivities. The following
exercises followed the feast: Toasts — Providence Union, responded to
by John P. Dolan; President United States, George M. Carpenter; State
of Rhode Island, Royal C. Taft; City of Providence, Gilbert F. Robbins;
International Typographical Union, C. G. Wilkins; The Compositor,
W.F.Elsbree; The Sub., J.J.Murray; The Ladies, John E. Hurley; Our
Visitors, E. P. Tobie. Songs by Mr. Black (not D. 0.) and Etta Bren-
nan; recitation by Katherine Loughran. Committee — James J. Murray,
chairman; James Moore, Walter F. Walsh, William Donovan, John C.
Kuril, Matthew J. Cummings. It was voted at the February, 1889,
meeting that the committee be discharged and the deficiency on account
of the entertainment liquidated.
It was announced at the regular meeting held December 30 that
there was not enough money on hand to pay bills then due, and several
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 123
efforts to levy an assessment were defeated. The financial secretary
stated that considerable money was due the Union from the chairmen
of the different offices. It was voted that the chairmen be notified to
liquidate immediately.
January 27, 1889, a letter was read from a member then in Woon-
socket, demanding that the Union forward his travelling card. The
financial secretary was instructed to notify the gentleman that upon
payment of his accumulated dues and the price of three banquet
tickets his card would be forthcoming.
James P. Bowes, chairman of the Central Labor Union delegation,
reported from that body at the January (1889) meeting that a move-
ment was on foot looking toward the formation of a State Branch of the
American Federation of Labor, and asked for an expression of feeling
by this Union on the matter. The delegation was instructed to favor
the scheme.
An assessment of 25 cents per capita was levied at this meeting.
The following resolution was passed:
" RESOLVED, That no member of this Union patronize any saloon, hotel, drug store,
cigar store or other dealers in cigars, who do not keep Union made goods, and that any
member violating this resolution shall be disciplined by this Union."
At the February meeting it was voted, 35 to 34, to send a delegate
to the I. T. U. convention to be held at Denver. Andrew F. Moran was
chosen to represent Providence.
The executive committee was instructed to wire request to the
congressmen from this State to vote in favor of the Chace copyright
bill, then under consideration before the House of Representatives.
The February meeting was held on the 24th, and a committee pre-
viously appointed looking to the unionizing of the Journal office reported
progress. The following day there appeared in the columns of the
Telegram a statement which read substantially as follows:
"The management of the Providence Journal is to be turned over to the printers,
and one of its proprietors, who superintends the work of the composing room, is to be
compelled to join the Union, which is reported to be maturing plans for lessening the
profits of the Journal. Mr. Howland, when seen, had not been notified of the demands to
be made upon the paper. When the time comes the statement of Mr. Howland will be
truthfully given, and not garbled and distorted as was an account given by the Journal
of trouble with one of its contemporaries."
The executive committee was instructed to have a card inserted in
the Providence Journal and the Telegram denying the statements made
in the above article.
February 25 was the date set for the establishment of the new scale
in the Dispatch office. Saturday, February 23, Charles C. Corbett, editor
of the Dispatch, who had for some time been on bail because of a $10,000
libel suit, was surrendered by Richard Thornley, one of his bondsmen,
and was not released from durance vile until the Wednesday following
124 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
at about 10 P. M. Before starting for Cranston, in custody of the officer,
Corbett assured the men working in the office that he had made provision
for the payment of wages in case he should not be on hand the following
Monday. The ghost did not walk, however, but the men were told that
the money would be ready Tuesday at 4:30. At a special meeting of the
Union held that afternoon it was reported that the money did not ma-
terialize at the hour specified. The executive committee was instructed
to make effort to collect, and to employ legal talent, if necessary. The
committee reported back to the same meeting that it was unable to
obtain the money due the men. It was then voted that the men be
" called out." Wednesday, February 27, the Dispatch was not printed,
but it was announced on the bulletin board of that paper that it would
appear the next day as usual. The only person about the office on the
27th, according to the Providence Journal's report of the strike, was the
engineer, who, when asked why he was there, answered that he was
there "to prevent the place from being blown up." Twenty-three at-
tachments were placed on the property February 27, and the next day
two more attachments were filed against the paper. On March 1,
according to the same authority, "two or three non-union compositors
had been secured and one column of original matter was set up and
locked in a form with plate matter." This form, with three others of
plate matter, was transferred under police protection to the office of the
Rhode Island Democrat. The present Chief of Police was one of the
officers forming the cordon. No sooner had the form arrived, however,
than a deputy sheriff was on hand and placed a keeper in charge, but
allowed the paper to be printed. The sheriff then notified the Dispatch
people that they must issue the paper from their own plant in the
future. Editorially the paper said an improvement in its appearance
would be made in forthcoming issues. On Wednesday, March 7, Deputy
Sheriff McCabe released the 25 attachments on the receipt of $786.18,
the sum total of the amounts due the employes. March 6 the Dispatch
secured the services of Al. Cohick and a gang of "rat" printers from
Norwich, Conn., and elsewhere.
The executive committee reported at the March meeting that polit-
ical pressure was being brought to bear in the Dispatch trouble.
Accepted as progress.
The President of the Union and the chairman of the Telegram
chapel were instructed to call upon Mr. Black of the Telegram and
obtain his signature to the scale of prices.
A special meeting was called April 17, for the purpose of taking
action in regard to the issuing of a travelling card to an apprentice
member. Michael H. Donahue, employed in the Telegram office, had been
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 125
discharged before the completion of his apprenticeship. Before his dis-
charge the boy had been admitted to the Union as an apprentice member,
and upon his discharge he made application to the executive committee
for full membership. The committee granted Mr. Donahue a travelling
card. It was for the purpose of revoking the action of the executive
committee that the special meeting was called. After a bitter wrangle
the committee was sustained by a vote of 28 to 10. Twenty or more
members present did not vote.
That the executive committee exceeded its authority in this matter
there can be no doubt, and had the 10 members who so ably opposed its
action appealed their case to the I. T. U. officials they would as surely
have been sustained.
Trouble developed fast for Providence Union after the adjournment
of this meeting. With the Dispatch still in the breach, the Journal an
open office, the job branch in a demoralized condition and everything
looking all but rosy, on April 27, 1889, at the close of composition on the
Evening Telegram, Mr. Black appeared in the composing room of that
paper and announced that all who desired to remain in his employ must
immediately sign a contract, which he thereupon presented. A chapel
meeting was called by the chairman, George W. Wilson, who stated the
conditions of the contract, and it was voted unanimously that the con-
tract be not signed. Mr. Black then gave notice to the men that their
services were no longer required, and every man took leave of the
Telegram.
In refusing to sign the contract the men were justified in that they,
as a chapel, did not have the authority, and as individuals would be
obliged to sever their connection with the Union.
The regular meeting of the Union was held the next day, Sunday,
April 28, and the following resolution was adopted and ordered com-
municated to the Rhode Island Central Labor Union :
" WHEREAS, D. 0. Black, publisher of the Evening and Sunday Telegram of this city,
having locked out the compositors and Union men from his employ and declared his office
a non-union shop, thereby placing himself on record as opposed to organized labor, there-
fore, be it
"RESOLVED, That the Central Labor Union of Rhode Island do pledge itself to stand
by Providence Typographical Union in its struggle for its rights, and will use all lawful
efforts to bring said D. 0. Black to terms with said Union."
Notwithstanding all the trouble on hand and no apparent decrease
in the visible supply of that article, this meeting was marked by seem-
ingly reckless prodigality. One member was voted $42 strike benefits,
to be paid out of the local treasury, and the executive committee was
instructed to present a claim for that amount to the I. T. U.; the dues
and assessments of all female members, with the exception of per capita
taxes, were remitted; $175 was voted for expenses of the I. T. U. dele-
126 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
gate, and bills to the amount of $59.63 were ordered paid. An assess-
ment of 10 per cent, of the earnings of the members was voted for the
purpose of conducting the fight against the Telegram.
In less than one week after the lockout on the Telegram the ex-
ecutive committee had established a daily paper, The Call, and the
Union continued its publication for about eight months.
While no special meetings of the Union were held during the month
of May the executive committee and the locked out members of the
Telegram chapel held frequent meetings, at which the welfare of the
Call and the progress of the fight with the Telegram were discussed.
The May meeting was devoted almost entirely to the reports of
committees and officers. The manager of the Call, Frank E. Jones,
also made a report, and he was instructed to correspond with Messrs.
Remington, Bowditch and Crandall in regard to the editorial man-
agement of the paper. The minutes of the June meeting show that
J. D. Hall, Jr., had succeeded Mr. Jones as manager of the Call, Mr. Jones
having assumed editorial control. Mr. Hall was thanked by the Union
for the able manner in which he was conducting the paper. Mr. Hall
explained that the dull season for advertising was at hand and that the
Union must take that fact into consideration if the business to be done
for a few months to follow showed a decrease. August 10, a special
meeting was called by the executive committee to consider an offer
made by Messrs. Pease and Bowditch for the purchase of the Call. The
amount offered was $1000 for the plant and good will of the paper, with
the understanding that they be allowed to use " plate matter " without
restriction. The offer was accepted, by vote, after considerable dis-
cussion. For some reason the deal was not consummated, and at the
regular meeting August 25, Mr. Hall, manager of the Call, was reported
as sick and A. L. Randall was appointed manager during Mr. Hall's
illness. At the October meeting Mr. Hall reported on the condition of
the Call. The report was referred to the executive committee, and at
the November meeting his report was referred to a newly appointed
finance cbmmittee.
A special meeting was held December 8, 1889, and J. H. Russell,
representing other parties, offered $700 for the Call plant. At that
meeting it was voted to sell the property to the highest bidder during
the next three days, the price to be not less than $700, and a committee
was appointed to consummate the sale and adjust finances.
Evidently this committee was unable to carry out its instructions,
for at the regular meeting held December 29, it was "Voted, That if the
Call is not sold by January 15, 1890, it shall be suspended." The ex-
ecutive committee and the manager of the Call were instructed to attend
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 127
to the details. Final reference to the Call as the Union's newspaper was
made at the January (1890) meeting, and is expressed in these words in
the minutes: "Mr. Hall made report on the Call matter. Accepted."
During the eight months' life of the Call as a printers' paper, very
little business, other than discussing the policy and prospects of the
venture, had been transacted at the Union meetings, the battle against
the Telegram being waged through the columns of the Call. The sale
of the paper transferred the struggle to the floor of the Union.
A letter from A. M. Williams, editor of the Providence Journal,
was read at the meeting held June 30, 1889, returning the $100 death
benefit of James Williams, and requesting that the money be devoted
to the aid of sick and disabled members. It was voted to accept the
money for the purposes assigned in the letter, and the secretary was
instructed to forward the thanks of the Union to Mr. Williams.
At the July meeting $5 was donated to the Central Labor Union
to help defray a deficiency incurred by its Fourth of July picnic.
Nothing of interest is recorded in the minutes of the meetings for
the six months following, ordinary routine to a degree depressing
ruling the assemblages.
January 26, 1890, it is recorded that the Union men employed in
the Telegram office had been " ordered out " by the executive com-
mittee since the last meeting of the Union, December 29, 1889. The
reason alleged for the action being " discrimination and unfair treat-
ment of members of the Union."
At the February meeting resolutions were adopted and forwarded
to the congressmen and senators from this state asking their support
in the effort then being made by Columbia Union to have restored the
prices current previous to March 3, 1877, in the Government Printing
Office.
Rudolph DeLeeuw was elected to represent Providence Union at
the Atlanta convention of the I. T. U., and he was instructed to sustain
the executive council in the Albany matter. The "Albany matter"
was an appeal by Albany Union from a decision by President Plank of
the I. T. U. The appeal and decision were read at the meeting held
March 30, 1890, and the above action taken.
A committee was appointed at the June meeting to devise means
for entertaining the I. T. U. delegates to the Boston convention to be
held June, 1891.
A motion to appoint a committee to formulate some plan for the
admission of non-printer linotype operators, the same to be submitted
to the I. T. U. executive council, was lost; the secretary was instructed
to correspond with unions where machine operators were employed in
128 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
regard to rules they may have for the admission of non-printer
operators.
Mr. Martin, President of the Union, at the September meeting,
suggested that two shares of the Call be purchased. The matter was
referred to the executive committee with power to act.
A committee was appointed at the December meeting to make
effort to form a beneficial society among the printers employed in the
Telegram office. The purpose of this move was to organize the men
in that office in a manner intended to give no offence to the manage-
ment. Of course, the object was to eventually gather the society into
the Union fold, but — alas, the motive was too apparent. December 30,
two days after the appointment of the committee, three Union men
were discharged from the Telegram. A special meeting was called
December 31 to consider the matter. The meeting was held in a room
of the Hotel St. George, southeast corner of Washington and Mathew-
son streets. The building in which the hotel was located has since
been demolished to make way for the widening of Washington street.
It was decided at this meeting to prepare a statement for publication,
and a committee was appointed for that purpose.
Four delegates were appointed at the meeting held January 25,
1891, for the purpose of attending a Labor Conference to be held Sun-
day, February 8. No report of the delegates is recorded. It was voted
that $5 be forwarded to Sacramento Union.
Nominations for delegate to the Boston convention of the I. T. U.
were made at the February meeting, and at the March meeting Frank-
lin P. Eddy was declared elected. The delegate was instructed at the
May meeting to vote in favor of the death benefit provision ; against
the permanent place of meeting, and uninstructed as to the general
amnesty proposition.
The records for the June, July and August meetings are missing.
It was voted at the September meeting to endorse the action taken
by the Central Labor Union in regard to the Record and News. The
action of the Central body referred to was an endorsement of the atti-
tude of those two papers in regard to organized labor.
November 1, 1891, a special meeting was held, at which it was
voted that the Union withdraw its permission to members to work in
the Telegram office. It was provided that to those coming out the sum
of $7 per week would be paid for a period of eight weeks. It was then
voted that all working in the Telegram office after 9 A. M. on Novem-
ber 2, would forfeit their Union ties.
The finance committee reported at the meeting held November 30,
that it had borrowed $50 to be used by the Telegram committee, and at
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 129
the same meeting $10 was voted to Pittsburg Union in response to an
appeal for aid ; besides it was gallantly voted to present to a female
applicant for membership her initiation fee — $2.
At the December meeting the sentiment was expressed by vote
that it would be economically wise and prudent for the city of Provi-
dence to establish its own electric lighting plant.
The committee having the Telegram matter in hand was dis-
charged at this meeting.
The Typographical Union Label is first mentioned in the minutes
of Providence Union under date of January 31, 1892, and in conform-
ity with the following resolution a committee was appointed to have
custody of and authority to permit its use :
" RESOLVED, That a committee of three be appointed, two of whom must be book
or job printers, to take entire charge of placing a Union label in job and other offices ;
provided that no label be issued to any office unless said office becomes what is known as
a 'card' office. And that said committee be hereby directed to at once procure a
Union label from headquarters and draw money from this Union to pay for the same.
And said committee shall, at least once a month, cause to be published and sent to every
Union connected with the R. I. C. L. U. the name of every firm entitled to use said
label."
The following preamble and resolution was adopted at the same
meeting :
" WHEREAS, In the Sunday Telegram of January 24, there appeared a letter signed
P. H. Quinn, District Secretary and Treasurer D. A. 99, K. of L., in which was given
what purported to be a statement of the relations of the Knights of Labor to the
Providence Typographical Union in the past and present, and
"WHEREAS, Said statement was in the main false and wholly uncalled for, and
especially as it supported the Telegram in opposition to the Typographical Union ; be it
therefore
" RESOLVED, That this Union requests a retraction and apology for the publication
of said statement, the request to be made through the District Master Workman of the
K. of L."
The Union approved the expressed intention of the Rhode Island
Central Labor Union to publish a monthly " Union Bulletin," provided
the publication would not entail assessments upon the component
Unions.
The Union also approved the report of the Commissioner of Indus-
trial Statistics, in which he recommended that the law be so amended
as to prohibit the employment of children under 13 years instead of 10,
in factory, mercantile establishment or workshop, and hoped that the
recommendation would be favorably acted upon at the present session
of the Legislature.
The bill introduced in the General Assembly by Representative
Hughes of Cumberland, making the first Monday in September a legal
holiday, to be known as Labor Day, was heartily endorsed, as was also
the bill introduced by Senator Garvin, establishing a 9-hour day or 54-
hour week.
130 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
Ten dollars was appropriated to aid in bringing the weekly payment
bill before the Supreme Court.
Quite a politico-economic record for one meeting. And still another
resolution along the same lines was laid on the table, the proposal of a
vote of thanks to the committee on city printing for its action in award-
ing the printing of the city to friendly firms, meeting that fate.
It was voted at the February meeting to send one delegate to the
I. T. U. convention to be held at Philadelphia the following June. At
the April meeting it was announced that George B. Sullivan had been
chosen to act as the Union's representative. The expense appropriation
was $35.
It was stated by the committee having the matter in hand that
$22.25 had been collected for the purpose of helping defray the cost of
bringing the weekly payment bill before the Supreme Court.
An invitation to attend a lecture to be given at Bell Street Chapel
on March 18 was accepted at this meeting.
In March a resolution was passed expressing sympathy and guar-
anteeing moral support to the Clothing Salesmen's Association in their
struggle with two firms persisting in keeping their stores open after
6.30 P. M. At the November meeting these firms were placed on the
"We Don't Patronize List," after which Mr. Whitaker, representing
the salesmen, addressed the Union, and upon his retirement a com-
mittee of one to act with representatives of other organizations was
appointed to call on the proprietors of these stores in the interest of
the salesmen.
Al. C. Howell explained to the Union the reason of the recent visit
of George Chance of Philadelphia, and a committee of five was
appointed to solicit funds to aid Philadelphia Union. Fourteen dollars
was obtained in this manner and forwarded to Philadelphia.
The following is entered on the minutes of the April meeting :
"The sound of martial music being heard it was voted to take a recess of five
minutes to allow the members an opportunity to feast their eyes on a company of
soldiers."
Mr. Grieve, explaining the absence of George E. Boomer, stated
that he had found him at Pawtuxet painting a boat, said boat belonging
to a syndicate of which said Boomer was a member, which act, Mr.
Grieve asserted, was "in direct contravention of both Biblical and
International law, which prohibits a man from working seven days a
week."
The secretary was ordered at the May meeting to write to Boston
Union in regard to the Telegram obtaining plate matter from a Union
shop.
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 131
An attempt to raise the dues to 75c. per month, with a rebate of
25c. for attendance at meetings, was made at the June meeting and
laid over to July. At that meeting the matter was laid on the table for
two months and then evidently forgotten.
At the July meeting a committee was appointed to make arrange-
ments for a delegation of printers to participate in an excursion of the
Weavers' Union on August 20.
August 28, a communication from New York Union, No. 6, an-
nounced that the New York Tribune had become a strict Union office.
An invitation to attend the Journeymen Plumbers' fair was ac-
cepted at the September meeting.
A special meeting of the Union was held October 17, 1892, because
it was believed at that time that affairs in the Telegram office demanded
immediate attention. The progress made by the executive committee
in dealing with the Democratic city committee was reported. The
executive committee was given full power to further negotiate with
the leaders of the Democratic party. At the regular October meeting
the committee reported another conference with the Democratic city
committee, from which body a committee of ten had been appointed to
call on Mr. Banigan; that they had also had an interview with the
Democratic State Central Committee, a committee from that organiza-
tion being appointed to co-operate with the committee of ten above
referred to. An answer from the joint committee had not been re-
ceived up to October 29, the date upon which one was promised.
A scale of prices was adopted at this meeting, 35c. per 1000 ems
being the rate for afternoon and weekly papers and 40c. for morning
papers.
At a special meeting held December 14, 1892, the secretary was
ordered to apply to the executive council for permission for this Union
to grant a general amnesty in accordance with Sec. 110 of the I. T. U.
constitution. The minutes of this meeting were, by vote, suppressed
until ordered read by the executive committee.
At the regular December meeting a communication from P. H.
Quinn was received, asking that the Union be represented at the ban-
quet of the Industrial Alliance.
The executive committee called a special meeting January 3, 1893,
at which it reported that Providence Union had been granted the priv-
ilege of a general amnesty. The committee was given full power to
act under the order.
A committee appointed December 18, 1892, to consider the advisa-
bility of some form of entertainment reported in favor of a concert at
the special meeting January 3, 1893, and after discussion the com-
132 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
mittee was instructed to carry out the idea suggested. At Blackstone
Hall on the night of January 31 a good-sized audience enjoyed the
delightful programme arranged by the committee: The Providence
Handel Club Orchestra opened the concert with " Fletterwoch Over-
ture," the Weber Ladies' Quartette sang two selections, and William
Hanrahan, tenor, rendered " Margherita," responding to an encore
with " Let Me Like a Soldier Fall." Miss Florence Williams told of
the fortunes and misfortunes of " The Whistling Regiment," and was
followed by the Palma Mandolin and Guitar Club with enlivening
selections. Mrs. Minnie H. Vaughn, soprano; J. H. Jennings, banjo
soloist ; Miss Emily J. Ballou, contralto ; Charles H. Bosworth, bass, and
Charles Tisdale, responded to encores. The committee in charge of
the concert consisted of John J. Nolan, Joseph H. McGuinness, J. D.
Hall, Jr., William Donovan, Rudolph DeLeeuw and George E. Boomer.
The receipts of the concert amounted to $132, expenditures $55.37,
leaving a balance of $76.63.
At the regular meeting held January 29, 1893, a committee was
appointed to aid in the formation of a Pressman's Union, and it was
voted to advocate the purchase of Union-made goods and Union-label
goods as opposed to K. of L. goods and K. of L. label.
At the February meeting announcement was made that the Central
Labor Union had received a charter from the A. F. of L. It was also
stated that the Unions identified with the building and constructing
industries were to hold a meeting for the purpose of forming a Build-
ing Trades Council.
Protest by resolution was made at an adjourned meeting held
April 9 against the appointment of Charles William Edwards as Public
Printer at Washington. A committee was instructed to wait upon the
Democratic representative and ask that he object to the appointment
of said Edwards; and to also lay the matter before other labor organi-
zations.
April 30 the executive committee reported that conditions in the
Telegram office were very satisfactory.
William Palmer was elected delegate to the I. T. U. convention
to be held in Chicago. Seventy-five dollars was voted the delegate-
elect, and at the May meeting an additional $25 was voted.
A committee from the Rhode Island Central Labor Union was
given the privilege of the floor at the May meeting. This committee
stated that their visit was due to the fact that it had discovered that
the working cards of the Typographical Union did not bear the Union
label, a condition which the Central body did not approve and could not
conceive its toleration by No. 33. An examination of their cards by
-
35
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5 I
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 133
the members revealed the truth of the committee's assertions, and the
financial secretary, Franklin P. Eddy, since deceased, was asked to
explain. That officer's defence is not recorded, but is remembered by
one who was present at that meeting. During the life of the secretary
it was jokingly remarked that there was no hole so small through which
he could not crawl, and on this occasion he stated in explanation of the
" unfortunate " occurrence that he had found a number of cards which
had been printed before the label was adopted and, for sake of economy,
had made use of them. After hearing the secretary's excuse the com-
mittee withdrew and the regular order of business was taken up.
It was then voted that all printed matter issued by the Union here-
after must bear the Union label, regardless of cost, and the secretary
was instructed to notify the Central Labor Union of the action taken.
At the June meeting a member stated that he had heard that P. H.
Quinn of the K. of L. wanted to " bury the hatchet."
The " lockout " on the News was also announced at this meeting.
At an adjourned meeting held next day,- Monday, June 26, it was
stated that every man affected by the action of the manager of the
News had reported for work that morning, as usual, and that of the 25
men involved but four had been retained ; that 14 or 15 non-union men
were at work. Mr. Hutton, the pressman, volunteered to assist the
Union in any manner the men might suggest. It was " Voted, That it
is the sense of this body that the action of the News management is a
lockout." The meeting decided to ask that a special meeting of the
Central Labor Union be called and the matter placed before that body,
and adjournment was taken, to Tuesday, June 27. At Tuesday's meet-
ing Mr. Grieve reported that the Union men who had worked in the
News office Monday had individually resigned their positions. The
pressmen and stereotypers had also resigned, and men from the Eastern
Electrotyping Company were reported to be assisting the News in its
stereotyping department.
District Organizer Keyes of the I. T. U. was introduced and stated
that he had an appointment with Mr. French, manager of the News, for
to-morrow. He believed, however, that Mr. French did not care to
settle the matter. Mr. Grieve then presented the following, which was
given to Mr. Keyes as a basis for negotiations :
" PROVIDENCE, R. L, June 27, 1893.
"MR. GEORGE FRENCH, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF PROVIDENCE NEWS:
" DEAR SIR — If you desire to employ Union printers on the News it is within the
power of Providence Union to furnish you all of the men that were engaged upon the
paper last week, and the men will be notified at once if you so desire. It is inconsistent
with the laws of the Union for any of them to work under the present foreman.
" If the dull season necessitates saving in running expenses the Union printers will
do all that is consistent, and are willing to submit the whole affair to arbitration.
"J. D. HALL, JR., President,
" For Providence Typographical Union."
134 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
At the meeting held June 28 the District Organizer reported that
Mr. French had stated that he had nothing to arbitrate ; that Governor
Brown had been interested in the matter and had interviewed Mr.
French but had accomplished nothing. Mr. Keyes assured the men
affected by the lockout that they would receive strike benefits. Presi-
dent Hall announced at the November meeting that he had received
assurances that the new manager, Mr. Wardner, of the News would
Unionize the paper at an early date. A committee appointed February
25, 1894, to interview the manager of the News reported at the April
meeting, and the report was accepted and the committee discharged,
with thanks.
July 30, 1893, the Telegram was declared an open office. The
declaration was rescinded at the August meeting.
Owing to a depleted treasury and the doleful outlook, Franklin P.
Eddy, the financial secretary, stated that he would willingly accept a
reduction of salary. It was voted not to reduce.
The executive committee announced at the meeting held August
27, 1893, that it had suspended the action taken by the Union at a pre-
vious meeting declaring the Telegram an open office.
A committee was appointed to make arrangements for the Labor
Day parade with authority to expend not over $15. Prescott Post hall
was the place where the members were to assemble on the morning of
that day, and from there march in a body to the place assigned by the
chief marshal.
George E. Boomer was elected a visiting delegate to the convention
of the Massachusetts State Typographical Union, without power to
bind Providence Union to any course of action. Five dollars was
allowed the delegate for expenses.
A committee appointed September 24 to make arrangements for
holding a concert under Union auspices reported later that the time
was inopportune.
October 29, $17.10 was received from the Central Labor Union as
No. 33's share of Labor Day profits.
A communication was read requesting members to purchase only
from Union clerks, and $10 was voted the Olneyville strikers, regret
being expressed that the finances of the Union did not warrant a larger
appropriation.
John J. Nolan was appointed press representative for the Union at
this meeting.
The amount of cash on hand November 26, 1893, was 17 cents,
and according to the treasurer's report was divided as follows :
" General fund . . . . $0.17 "
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 135
As compared with the December statement the November rating
might be termed gilt-edged. An examination of the bills presented for
that month and a peep into the strong box, revealed an indebtedness of
$19.70 in excess of the available coin. No report of the Union's finan-
cial standing is given for January, but the statement for February 25,
1894, shows that the Union had again begun to accumulate riches, the
treasurer on that date announcing a balance on hand of six cents.
How the amount was apportioned is not recorded.
An effort to have a committee appointed to draft a scale for
machine operators was tabled at the January, 1894, meeting.
A communication from the New England Typographical Union
was read at the February meeting. The communication urged Provi-
dence Union to affiliate with that organization, and after laying on the
table for one month, favorable action was taken.
The most ungallant action recorded in the history of the Union
was taken at the meeting held March 25, 1894. It was brought to the
attention of the Union on that date that girls were to be employed in a
local printing office to the exclusion of men, and it was voted that the
President wait on the proprietors of that office and request that the
girls be not allowed to go to work. The President at a later meeting
reported that he had interviewed one member of the firm but had
received no satisfaction.
May 29, 1894, the special committee on government ownership of
the telegraph reported that the Central Labor Union had endorsed the
letter to our senators and representatives urging them to favor its
passage.
A protest from the manager of the Visitor was read at this meet-
ing, to the effect that while he was paying 35 cents per thousand other
weekly papers were paying but 30 and 33 cents. That he did not
object to the payment of 35 cents, but thought that others should be
charged as much, and felt that he should be protected in the matter.
The secretary was instructed to assure Mr. Walsh of the Union's appre-
ciation of his attitude ; also that some other papers paid 35 cents, and
the Union hoped that the friendly feeling existing between it and Mr.
Walsh would be continued, to the end that those paying less might be
induced to pay more.
The proposed appointment of a new city official to be known as
Superintendent of Printing was discussed at this meeting. The Rhode
Island Central Labor Union had already voted to endorse any candidate
No. 33 might suggest. It was then voted that the Union endorse Mr.
Grieve for the position should the office be created.
136 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
August 26, 1894, the secretary was ordered to procure 100 badges
in old gold, to cost not more than 5c. each, for the use of members
Labor Day. The limit was later raised to 8c.
Two delegates were appointed to attend a meeting of the Union
for Practical Progress.
At the September meeting Rudolph Modest addressed the Union in
relation to the troubles of New York cigarmakers.
October 30, 1894, no quorum.
It was broached at the November meeting " that Justice was em-
ploying a suspended member of this Union." Justice was advised to
comply with its agreement or give up the label. The trouble was
amicably adjusted and Justice pursued the even tenor of its way.
The year died naturally, the December meeting being given up to
the election of officers for 1895.
March 31, 1895, Charles G. Wilkins, deputy organizer for the first
district, spoke of the effect of typesetting machines in different parts of
New England. Mr. Duggan of Worcester and Mr. Moffitt of Fall
River also addressed the Union.
Upon invitation of Pawtucket Union, No. 212, it was voted to
appoint a delegation to attend a mass meeting and parade of the differ-
ent labor organizations of that city to be held April 17, 1895.
A communication from Philadelphia Union asking for a 50-cent
subscription to the Childs' memorial was read at the April meeting and
referred to the executive committee. The assessment was levied at the
November meeting, 1896.
The delegates from No. 33 to the Central Labor Union were un-
seated for non-attendance, according to a communication read at the
April meeting. The same delegates were then re-elected and requested
to attend to their duty in the future.
May 26, 1895, N. W. Reese was elected delegate to the convention
of the New England Typographical Union, which was held that year at
New Bedford.
Twenty-three members were expelled at that meeting.
At the June meeting the secretary was instructed to correspond
with the chairman of the Boston Post and the President of Boston
Union in reference to a proposed banquet and ball game between the
employes of the Post and those of the Providence Telegram. At the
July meeting letters were read, in reply to the secretary's communica-
tions, from John F. Duggan of Worcester, Charles G. Wilkins and John
Douglas of Boston. The answers showed that the game was arranged
with a view to organizing the Telegram force. Providence Union did
not appreciate the effort, however, and the President and secretary were
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 137
instructed to officially protest against the game between Union and
non-union men.
A communication from the Carpenters' Union was read at the
November meeting, severely criticising Typographical Union's member
of the Labor Day Committee. George B. Sullivan, of Pawtucket Union,
who acted as chairman of the Labor Day Committee, was present and
stated that the matter could be of little concern to any individual
Union represented, and advised that the matter be dropped. No action
is recorded at this meeting.
Franklin P. Eddy was unanimously endorsed for the position of
State Organizer for the New England Typographical Union at the
July meeting, and at the same meeting Mr. Eddy was formally
appointed to that office by President Moffitt of the N. E. T. U., who
was present.
The August meeting was not held because of no quorum.
A committee on entertainment appointed at the September meet-
ing was discharged at the November meeting, nothing having been
accomplished in the matter.
A letter from an individual who had made application for member-
ship was read at the December meeting. In it the applicant withdrew
the application for the reason that he had secured a job in an office
where a card was not necessary, and therefore the Union could be of no
benefit to him.
The salary of the financial secretary was reduced from $100 per
annum to $5 per month.
The matter relating to the action of our representative on the
Labor Day Committee came up again for consideration at the January,
1896, meeting on the reading of communications from the Painters'
and Decorators', the Carpenters' and Joiners' and the Building Trades'
Council. At thjs meeting a committee was appointed to investigate
the matter, and in April the committee reported that the action of our
representative had caused great annoyance and delay in settling affairs
of Labor Day. The matter was then amicably adjusted.
The recording secretary apologized at the March meeting for his
absence at the February meeting, the minutes of which are not
recorded in the books.
At the April meeting William Abell and Franklin P. Eddy were
elected delgates to attend the Hartford convention of the N. E. T. U.
Five dollars was voted to the committee having in charge the
Eugene V. Debs labor rally to be held in Music Hall, June 23, with the
proviso that no ads. were to be placed in the Telegram or News.
138 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
At the July meeting a committee was appointed to procure a drag
for the use of members Labor Day. Flags, bunting and badges were
ordered purchased.
A committee was also appointed to prepare resolutions for presen-
tation to the family of the late Hon. George J. West, an ex-member of
the Union, and at the time of his death an honorary member.
August 30, it was voted to withdraw from the Central Labor
Union.
John H. Cook of the Carpenters' Union, accompanied by John
McGlucky of Homestead, Pa., asked the privilege of addressing the
Union at the August meeting and the request was granted. Mr.
McGlucky gave a blood-curdling account of the great Homestead steel
strike, displaying to the awe-stricken members present numerous bullet
wounds alleged to have been received from encounters with Pinker-
ton's sharpshooters. An appeal for financial assistance by Mr.
McGlucky was deferred until the next meeting, and then laid on the
table.
The President informed the Union that he had received a letter
from Organizer H. Thomas Elder, an answer to which he had returned,
and at a future meeting he would divulge the contents of the letter
and the answer. The secret evidently died with the promise.
A suspension of hostilities against the News was voted at the
September meeting, and the entire matter was taken from the hands
of the executive committee and placed in charge of the President and
two members.
November 18, 1896, an assessment of 50 cents per member was
levied, the same to be forwarded to the trustees of the Childs-Drexel
fund.
At the December meeting a communication from Woonsocket
Union was read, asking the support of Providence Union in advancing
the candidacy of Leroy B. Pease for the position of Public Printer under
the McKinley administration, and a committee was appointed for that
purpose. Correspondence from senators and representatives was read
at the January (1897) meeting, assuring hearty support. The commit-
tee reported that the Central Labor Union had endorsed the petition,
and that Boston Union had been visited and that Union had reconsid-
ered previous action and had endorsed Mr. Pease. The committee was
discharged in April, 1897, and while it was unable to report that it
had been successful, the committee was thanked by the Union for its
strenuous efforts.
December 27, 1896, amended rules and regulations governing the
use of the label were proposed and adopted. The amendments were
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 139
introduced with a view to enhance the value of the label and to pre-
vent abuse of the privilege of its use.
That the Childs-Drexel assessment might be considered in the light
of a Christmas gift, it was voted to draw on the treasury for an amount
based on the number of members then in good standing.
A committee was appointed at the February (1897) meeting to
inquire into the reorganization of the Central Labor Union, and report
at the next meeting. Upon a favorable report it was voted to re-affili-
ate at the March meeting.
March 28 it was announced that the I. T. U. per capita tax had
been increased 5c. per month, but it was deemed advisable to make no
increase in local dues until the amount then being paid proved inade-
quate to meet expenses.
The secretary was instructed, April 25, 1897, to notify sister Unions
that antagonism toward the News on the part of Typographical Union
had been withdrawn and the trouble satisfactorily adjusted.
Two delegates, Messrs. Eddy and Roxburgh, were elected at the
April meeting to attend the convention of the N. E. T. U. at Salem.
Fifteen dollars each was voted the delegates. May 30, it was voted
that the delegates endeavor to have the convention meet in Providence,
June, 1898, and at the June, 1897, meeting a committee on ways and
means was appointed to prepare for the convention's reception one year
hence, the Union's delegates to Salem having reported that they were
successful in securing for Providence the 1898 meeting.
Delegates to the Labor Day Committee were appointed at the May
meeting, and June 27, 1897, it was voted to apply to the Central Labor
Union for No. 33's share of last Labor Day's profits.
The formation of a chapel in the News office was announced
July 25.
The condition of the Union's banner was the subject of a discussion
at the August meeting. Mr. Eddy remarked that " Providence Union
should be proud of the distinction of being the oldest trade Union in the
city, but of having the oldest banner — Never ! " Mr. Shaw volunteered
to polish up the brass work on the pole, and Mr. Roxburgh promised
string to tie up the loose pieces.
At the October meeting application was made for the label by the
proprietor of an Italian newspaper.
November 29, 1897, the salary of the financial secretary was
increased to $75.
The reorganization of the Central Labor Union under the name of
the " Rhode Island Central Trades and Labor Union " was announced
at the January, 1898, meeting.
140 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
A committee was appointed at this meeting to formulate a scale
of prices for offices using typesetting machines, but was at a later
meeting discharged.
Committee on ways and means for the reception of the N. E. T. U.
reported progress at the February meeting, and sub-committees were
appointed on hotel, hall, badges, banquet, etc. At the May meeting
the sub-committee on hall reported that St. George Lodge, K. of P.,
would, on the night of the banquet, relinquish its hall to the printers
and that organization was thanked for the courtesy.
William Palmer and Charles S. Shaw were elected at the April
meeting to represent Providence at the convention.
President John McMorrow of the Brewers' Union was introduced
at the May meeting and appealed to the Union to place before the N.
E. T. U. the necessity of printers assisting the Brewers' Union in their
fight to unionize the breweries of this city.
The complimentary banquet ticket problem was settled by a vote
authorizing the President to use his discretion in the matter.
The convention of the New England Typographical Union was
held in Journal hall, June 14-15. Twenty-nine delegates, representing
14 Unions, attended the convention. The delegates were tendered a
banquet and entertainment on the evening of June 15, at which the
following programme was successfully carried out : Welcome, Presi-
dent William J. Meegan; toastmaster, A. E. Morrill; remarks, Gov.
Elisha Dyer; "N. E. T. U. and Allied Trades," John Moffitt; song,
selected, Daniel Knoepfel; "The Power of the Press," Robert Grieve;
remarks, Joseph D. Hall, Jr. ; piano solo, " The Witches' Flight," Miss
Claja E. Burtwell; "The Nine-Hour Question," James J. Nolan;
" Industrial Development," Hon. Henry E. Tiepke ; song, selected, H.
Cornelius Barnes; "Employer and Employe," Col. L. B. Pease; "The
Union Label," Thomas M. Nolan ; piano solo, Miss A. Bernice Abell ;
"Municipal Ownership," Silas Gamble; reading, Charles S. Shaw;
" Our Lady Guests," Charles E. Smith ; " Auld Lang Syne." Commit-
tee in charge, Franklin P. Eddy, E. Leslie Pike, George B. Sullivan,
William Abell, William Palmer, Charles S. Shaw, Richard W. Roxburgh.
William Abell was elected delegate to the International Convention
at the election held the last Wednesday in July, and at the August
meeting the delegate gave a glowing account of the doings of that
body and intimated that there was $2,500 somewhere that this Union
could have by applying to somebody. The president, financial secretary
and recording secretary were elected a committee to immediately annex
the $2,500, but a diligent search failed to reveal the whereabouts of the
princely treasure. The convention was held at Syracuse, and the
mazuma may have been salted.
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 141
There was no quorum present at the July meeting, owing, as the
minutes state, to the inclemency of the weather.
Sunday, August 28, the financial secretary was " instructed to pro-
cure at least 25 badges for Labor Day, which, in addition to those in his
possession, is expected to be sufficient."
At the September meeting a committee was appointed to draw up
a circular protesting against the methods of the N. E. T. U.
October 30, 1898, an invitation to attend Pawtucket Cigarmakers'
fair was accepted, and complimentary tickets to the Journeymen
Bakers' Union masquerade ball were received.
The meeting of November 27, 1898, was called to order by the
recording secretary and, owing to the absence of a quorum, immediately
adjourned. The secretary makes a note that " This was the day of the
big snowstorm."
Because of lack of a quorum the December meeting was adjourned.
There was a very slim attendance at the January, 1899, meeting.
Because no business had been transacted since the October meeting,
a great deal of routine matter had accumulated. This fact, and the
I. T. U. law, which required subordinate Unions to meet at least once
in three months, seemed a sufficient reason for the President to ignore
a point of order that there was no quorum present. Appeal was taken,
but the attitude of the President was sustained.
A committee appointed at this meeting to prepare a scale of prices
for hand, machine and job composition was, at a later meeting, dis-
charged for non-performance of duty.
March 26, 1899, a ballot taken on a proposition to levy an assess-
ment of five cents per week for a period of twelve weeks, resulted 33
for, 12 against. The financial secretary was given discretionary power
as to the method of collecting the assessment at the April meeting.
A committee of one was appointed at th'e April meeting to inter-
view all printers in the city who were not members of the Union and
ascertain their reasons for not joining. The recording secretary was to
keep a record of such reasons on file. At this meeting the Union voted
to withdraw from the New England Typographical Union.
It was voted also to elect a delegate to the I. T. U. convention at
Detroit ; and after the names of three candidates had been placed in
nomination, it was voted that any member, so desiring, could- become a
candidate by filing his candidacy with the financial secretary. The
election was held in the ante-room of Journal hall and Rudolph
DeLeeuw was chosen to represent Providence Union. Mr. DeLeeuw
desired instruction as to his vote upon certain matters to come before
the convention, but the Union expressed confidence in its delegate's
good judgment on all matters.
142 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
The report of the Central Labor Union delegates at the meeting
held July 30, 1899, showed that the action of the I. T. U. in assuming
control of linotype machinists was condemned by that body.
It was reported at the August meeting that No. 33 had been given
the right of line in the Labor Day parade.
September 24, 1899, a communication from I. T. U. headquarters,
asking that financial support be given for the contest with the New
York Sun, was received, and a committee, one member from each office,
was appointed to solicit subscriptions.
A special meeting was held October 1, to consider ways and means
for unionizing the Telegram. Organizer McMahon gave an account of
his work up to that time, and Herbert W. Cooke of Boston made a
vigorous appeal for united action. The executive committee was in-
structed to act in conjunction with the organizer in the matter.
October 29, 1899, Messrs. Raphael and Strauss, two members of the
National Cigarmakers' Union, addressed the meeting in relation to cer-
tain brands of non-union cigars. A committee of three was appointed
to attend a conference to be held in the interest of the cigarmakers.
Delegates to the Central Labor Union reported that a mass meet-
ing, preceded by a parade, would be held under the auspices of that
body on November 16. A committee was appointed to assist in making
the affair a success.
At a special meeting, held November 18, the secretary was in-
structed to communicate with New Haven Union and demand an ex-
planation of its action in refusing to accept a travelling card issued
by Providence Union.
The executive committee was authorized to receive Samuel B.
Donnelly, President of the I. T. U., who was expected to visit Provi-
dence.
November 26, 1899, John Mee addressed the Union in behalf of the
Waiters' Alliance.
The label committee reported that it had granted probationary use
of the label to the Journal of Commerce. The President then stated
that the foreman or superintendent of that company had withdrawn
permission to the Union to do missionary work in that office.
A committee of two was appointed to attend a meeting of the
Textile Workers. The Union voted to reaffiliate with the New Eng-
land Typographical Union.
December 31, 1899, the Label League delegates reported that the
league was working for the passage of a bill through the State legisla-
ture in the interest of labels, trademarks, etc. February 25, 1900, it
was stated that the Label League had dissolved. At the May meeting
the passage of the label law was announced.
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 143
At the December meeting it was " Voted that all pressmen belong-
ing to this Union be given a withdrawal card and instructed to affiliate
with the Pressmen's Union." A committee was then appointed to
confer with the pressmen, stereotypers and others for the purpose of
organizing an Allied Printing Trades' Council.
January 28, 1900, Mr. McDermott, a representative of the Socialist
Labor party, addressed the Union upon the subject : " Socialism vs.
Trades Unions." At the conclusion of the address several members of
the Union spoke in refutation of the ideas advanced by that gentleman.
A vote of thanks, however, was extended to Mr. McDermott.
It was voted that hereafter meetings of the Union be held in the
hall known as the Labor Temple.
A committee was appointed at the January meeting to make
arrangements for a ball ; and on Monday, February 26, 1900, Winslow
Hall was comfortably filled with devotees of Terpsichore, who thor-
oughly enjoyed the exercises. Included in the committee were : Bed-
ford Codrington, chairman; Austin E. Malone, Frederick J. Tully,
Brandon Shaw and Thomas Graham. Mr. Malone acted as floor direc-
tor, and Mr. Tully as assistant floor director. William Donovan, George
B. Sullivan, Franklin P. Eddy, William Palmer and James H. Russell
served as a reception committee. The affair was reported at the March
meeting as a social and financial success, about $40 being added to the
Union's bank account. The committee was discharged with thanks,
and the boys assisting Mr. Russell in the coat room were voted $1 each.
At the February meeting Mr. Raphael addressed the Union on
grievances of the cigarmakers, and the moral support of Providence
Union was unanimously extended.
Delegates to the Central Labor Union reported at the March meet-
ing that a mass meeting would be held in Music Hall on Friday, March
30, and that the meeting would be preceded by a parade. A committee
was appointed to assure proper representation in the proposed parade,
and, if possible, to secure Mr. Cooke of Boston to speak at the mass
meeting.
The delegates reported also that a committee from the C. L. U.,
awaiting in the ante-room, desired admission to present charges against
one of our members. The committee was admitted; and upon their
retirement, it was voted that the charges be considered cognizable by
the Union, and a trial committee was appointed to hear the evidence.
At the March meeting this committee, in its report to the Union, exon-
erated Bedford Codrington, the accused.
It was voted that the secretary call the attention of the chairmen
of all political parties to the Union label, and urge their endorsement
of that emblem by its use on printed matter.
144 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
The financial secretary was instructed to subscribe for five copies
of the Typographical Journal, to be distributed at his discretion. (At
this time the I. T. U. had not provided for the Journal's distribution to
all members, its circulation depending upon local Union or individual
subscription.)
Mr. Raphael of the Cigarmakers again addressed the Union at the
March meeting.
Messrs. Cook and Barrett from the Central Labor Union addressed
the members at the April meeting, urging the endorsement of a propo-
sition of the C. L. U. to employ a business agent. It was voted to con-
tribute our proportionate share of the expense such an undertaking
would incur.
At the same meeting a scale of prices, submitted by a committee
previously appointed, was adopted by sections. The same was adopted
as a whole at the July meeting.
This scale called for $14 per week and a 9-hour day in book and
job offices, and 40 cents per hour for hand composition on newspapers.
For machine composition, it demanded $24 and $20 per week for morn-
ing and evening newspapers, respectively, and specified that 45 hours
should constitute a week's work. Piece work on machines was to be
13 and 11 cents — morning and evening.
Candidates were nominated for one delegate each to the Interna-
tional and New England Typographical conventions. At the May
meeting it was announced that Austin E. Malone was duly elected
delegate to the International convention, and Hugh F. Carroll to the
New England convention.
Ten tickets to the Printing Exposition, under the auspices of " Big
Six," New York, were ordered paid for by the financial secretary.
Two special committees were appointed at the May meeting to
endeavor to have the label appear on City and State printing.
A communication from Painters' and Decorators' Union was read
at the June meeting, thanking Providence Union for financial assist-
ance.
Arrangements were completed at the August meeting for the
Labor Day parade. John P. Dorl was elected marshal, and it was voted
that he devote one day to canvass the membership to the end that a
creditable showing would be made. It was also voted that " Johnny "
McGuire, apprentice on the News, be engaged to carry the banner, and
that $1 be the compensation therefor.
Ten dollars was appropriated to assist Galveston Union at the
September meeting.
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 145
It was voted that the President appoint a committee of 30 for the
purpose of handling the reorganization of .the Telegram, the names of
said committee to be made known at an adjourned meeting to be held
October 8, at 8 P. M. In the meantime the executive committee was
instructed to obtain the affidavit of a Union man who had been dis-
charged from the Telegram solely because he was a Union man.
At the adjourned meeting the President announced the names of
those comprising the committee, and methods of procedure were dis-
cussed.
A committee was then appointed to confer with the master printers
in relation to the scale adopted at the July meeting, and it was voted
that the same become operative January 1, 1901.
According to the minutes of the October meeting the committee of
30 on the Telegram reorganization " reported briefly " ; and Mr. Brown,
for the committee on conference with the master printers, " reported
steps taken by that committee." Both reports were received as reports
of progress.
" Typothetae " was substituted for " master printers " in recording
the report of the " Committee on Conference " at the November meet-
ing, and the report again accepted as one of progress. It was provided
that, if necessary, a special meeting might be called.
At the special meeting held October 8, it was voted that the dele-
gates to the Central Labor Union confer with the delegates to that
body from the Pressmen's Union, to the end that a resolution be pre-
sented to the City Council urging that the label appear on all city
printing. " That the delegates act before the coming election "' was
attached as an amendment. A bill of $4, contracted by the latter com-
mittee, was ordered paid — one-half of said bill to be charged to the
Pressmen's Union.
At a regular meeting held October 28, 1900, a member inquired as
to the propriety of his writing fraternal order notes for the Telegram.
The idea was expressed that such action by a member was ethically
improper, and he was advised to discontinue his writings and use
his influence among lodge members to refrain from patronizing the
Telegram.
A committee was appointed to wait on the women employed in a
certain office and endeavor to have them join the Union.
Copies of the Report of the Commissioner of Industrial Statistics
were distributed to those present.
At the December meeting it was " Moved that all members em-
ployed in printing offices which shall refuse to pay the scale decline to
go to work on January 1, 1901." The matter, after discussion, was
146 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
laid over for action to an adjourned meeting to be held the following
evening at 8 o'clock. A committee, one man from each office, was
selected to request the payment of the scale by the office in which each
was employed, and to report at the adjourned meeting.
At the adjourned meeting, every one of the committee reported
an adverse reply to his request. President Donovan and Organizer
McMahon then gave an account of their reception by the different pro-
prietors— not at all encouraging. A telegram from President Lynch of
the I. T. U. was read, notifying the Union that a strike could not be
endorsed unless all regulations governing same were complied with.
After considerable discussion, a committee of three was appointed to
confer with the Pressmen's Union (then in session in the same building)
and to report result.
The committee, upon its return, reported that the Pressmen's
Union had voted to await a final answer from headquarters before
taking aggressive action. A recess was voted and the Pressmen were
invited to discuss the situation. The invitation was accepted by the
Pressmen. After all who so desired had expressed their opinions on
the subject, the Pressmen withdrew and the Union resumed business.
It was then unanimously voted to strike two of the largest offices
on Tuesday, January 1, 1901. The strike lasted two days, and resulted
in a victory for the Union.
A special meeting was called Friday, January 25, 1901, at the
request of President Lynch of the I. T. U., who, however, was unable
to be present, for the purpose of taking action on an agreement between
the Providence Telegram Publishing Company and the International
Typographical Union. After a reading of the agreement, the instru-
ment was ratified by the Union, and thus ended an unpleasantness
which had existed for almost twelve years between the Union and the
Telegram management.
At the regular meeting, Sunday, January 27, the "committee of
30" was discharged, the object for which it had been appointed having
been accomplished.
The committee was composed of the following members :
BOWEN, THOMAS, HORTON, J. J., O'CONNOR, DANIEL,
BURRETT, H. N., HOFFMAN, MAX, OGDEN, C. S.,
BARNES, H. C., IRONS, ERNEST, RUSSELL, J. H.,
CARTER, D. E., KEENAN, JOHN P., REENEY, FRANK,
CHOQUET, A. H., LEWIS, WILLIAM, REES, N. W.,
CLOWES, ROBERT J., LYONS, JAMES, SHAW, W. S.,
DORL, JOHN P., MALONE, A. E., SHANNON, J. A.,
DOLAN, H. F., MAHONEY, F. J., SMITH, FRED,
DEFINI, VINCENT, MEEGAN, W. J., TULLY, F. J.,
DONAHUE, J. H., MADDEN, F. C., WILLIAMS, D. E.
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 147
The Union voted to indorse the proposed agreement between the
American Newspaper Publishers' Association and the International
Typographical Union.
The election of officers, postponed from the December meeting,
was taken up at this meeting. A committee was appointed to appear
before the City Council Printing Committee in relation to awarding the
contract for city printing.
February 24, 1901, it was voted to hold a "smoker" in Labor
Temple hall some time during the month of March. The committee
having the affair in hand provided a lengthy miscellaneous programme
which was greatly enjoyed by all who attended. George B. Sullivan
acted as chairman of the exercises. Mayor Fitzgerald of Pawtucket
made an address, and letters of regret were read from Mayor Granger
of Providence, who was ill, and Frank E. Fitzsimmons of Lincoln, who
had to attend an important meeting of the school committee. Edward
Leslie Pike recited " Barbara Frietchie," with star-spangled accessories.
Among others taking part in the exercises were Brandon Shaw,
who sang, and . ex-President Martin, who made a short address.
While the " smoker " was in session a ballot, taken on the ratification
of the agreement between the American Newspaper Publishers' Asso-
ciation and the International Typographical Union, resulted in a unani-
mous vote. Tuesday evening, March 19, 1901, was the date upon
which the exercises were held, and the committee in charge comprised
Messrs. Sullivan, Russell, Eddy, Gattrell and Evans. March 31, 1901,
Mr. Sullivan, for the committee, reported a very successful affair— at
an expense of about $44.
The financial secretary was instructed at the February meeting to
subscribe for one copy of the Typographical Journal to be sent to the
Providence Public Library. At the meeting following, a letter from
Librarian Foster was read, thanking the Union for its thoughtful
action.
William A. Newell was granted an honorable withdrawal card.
A committee was appointed at the March meeting to draft resolu-
tions upon the death of Franklin P. Eddy. The death of no member
since the time of reorganization had been more keenly felt than that of
Brother Eddy. Notwithstanding his frail physique he had devoted to*
Union matters the energy of a giant and, outside of the Typographical
Union, in the local labor world, he had wielded a powerful influence
which, in turn, had accrued to the benefit of No. 33.
At the April meeting it was decided to send no delegate to the
I. T. U. convention, but it was deemed advisable to send one to the
148 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
Lowell convention of the New England Typographical Union, and Eli
Alford was elected. Twenty dollars was allowed the delegate for
expenses.
The Central Labor Union delegates, at the May meeting, announced
the formation of a Retail Clerks' Union, and urged members to patron-
ize Union clerks exclusively when making purchases.
A committee from the Barbers' Union was given the privilege of
the floor at the June meeting, and it requested that members patronize
only Union barber shops. Cards bearing the Typographical label were
distributed on which was printed a list of the Union barber shops.
Five dollars was appropriated for the benefit of black-listed railroad
employes.
At the July meeting, at the suggestion of President Lynch, a com-
mittee was appointed for the purpose of label propaganda.
It was voted at the August meeting that the Union should parade
Labor Day. Eli Alford was chosen marshal for the occasion, and Carl
Robb was elected unanimously to carry the banner. George B. Sullivan
was authorized to invite Pawtucket Union to parade with No. 33, and
the financial secretary was instructed to procure badges.
The financial secretary's salary was increased from $75 to $120 per
annum.
Ten dollars was donated to the Steel Workers to be used in their
battle with the trust.
A committee vested with discretionary powers to arrange for a
ball, reported at the November meeting that its mission had been
accomplished, and while the affair had been a huge success socially, yet
financially it had not reached the committee's expectations. Only $5.05
was realized on the venture.
The ball was held October 29, 1901, in Labor Temple hall, and
music was furnished by Fay's Belmont Orchestra. The committee
comprised J. H. Graham, Daniel O'Connor, William Abell, F. J. Mahoney,
Carl Robb and Charles J. Rothemich. The floor director was C. J.
Rothemich, F. J. Mahoney acting as assistant. The aids were Daniel
O'Connor, William H. Jillson, Thomas Bowen, N. A. McPherson, James
Cox and Daniel E. Mooney. Messrs. Donovan, Palmer, Abell and Russell
served as a reception committee.
A communication from the Barbers' Union, stating that it had
voted to have all its printing bear the Union label, was read at the
September meeting.
Delegates to the Central Labor Union were instructed to call the
attention of that body to the discourteous treatment accorded a com-
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 149
munication from this Union, requesting C. L. U. officers to patronize
Union printing offices.
Mr. Robb asked that the secretary write a letter to the German
Brewers' Union, thanking its members for their efforts to unionize
Anzieger. It was so voted.
At the October meeting a torchlight parade, to be followed by a
mass meeting in Infantry Hall, was announced for November 22, by
the delegates to the Central Labor Union, and a committee was
appointed to carry out the suggestions contained in a circular in rela-
tion to the same matter.
October 27, 1901, resolutions expressing sympathy and offering
financial assistance to New York Union in its fight with the Sun, were
adopted.
Delegates to the Central Labor Union reported that after many
attempts they had secured the adoption of a resolution calling for the
use of the Union label on all printed matter ordered by that body.
A motion to endorse the candidacy of Lucius F. C. Garvin for
Governor was ruled out of order by President Donovan, for the reason
that it introduced partisan politics into the Union. On an appeal from
the decision of the chair, democracy triumphed, the decision was over-
ruled and the motion passed.
November 24, 1901, $5 was voted to the Allied Printing Trades'
Council to help defray the cost of a " sangerfest."
Attention was called to the expiration of the Chinese Exclusion
Act, generally known as the " Geary Law," and appropriate resolutions
were passed, advocating the immediate re-enactment of a similar law.
A vote of thanks was extended to the Barbers' Union, Electrical
Workers' Union and Central Labor Union for the interest manifested
by those bodies in the Union label.
Sunday, December 29, $15 was voted to the International Brother-
hood of Blacksmiths for use in San Francisco, where a vigorous fight
for eight hours was being waged.
At the meeting held January 26, 1902, the Allied Printing Trades'
Council delegates reported that they had had an interview with the
City Council committee on printing, and expressed the belief that they
had made an impression on that august body.
A communication from a member who desired to have his name
" crossed off the list " was laid on the table. For negligence of duty
on the part of the inquiry committee for the past year, a vote of cen-
sure was passed as an amendment to a motion that the members be
fined. The retiring President, Mr. Donovan, was thanked for faithful
and efficient services.
150 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
February 23, the organization of the Bartenders' Union was an-
nounced by the Central Labor Union delegates, and printers were
advised to quench their thirst only in those cafes employing the wearers
of the I. B. L. blue button. The delegates stated also that a sacred
concert, under the auspices of the Central Labor Union, would be held
at Infantry Hall, Sunday, March 16.
A communication from President Lynch of the I. T. U. in relation
to the International Union's liability for strike benefits to members
called out of non-union or open shops, was read at the February meet-
ing, and it was voted to voice the protest of Providence Union against
the International law as interpreted by President Lynch.
An adjournment was taken from the February meeting to March
9 for the purpose of revising the scale of prices. The proposed
changes were adopted by sections at the adjourned meeting and
adopted as a whole at the regular meeting, March 30.
It was voted at the April meeting to send one delegate to the Cin-
cinnati convention of the I. T. U., and one delegate to the Manchester
convention of the N. E. T. U. William Donovan was chosen to act as
delegate to the former convention, and Daniel O'Connor to the latter.
The delegate to Cincinnati was instructed to do all in his power to have
a law passed by which all Union men should be guaranteed strike
benefits when called on strike, whether they be employed in Union
offices or not. The delegate to the N. E. T. U. convention was in-
structed to urge the disbandment of that organization on the ground
of having outlived its usefulness. Mr. Donovan was allowed $100 for
expenses and $15 was appropriated for the use of Mr. O'Connor.
May 25, 1902, an agreement with the News Publishing Company,
identical with that of the Telegram, was reported as having been
signed, and the application of the News Company for the Union label
was referred to the Allied Printing Trades' Council.
It was announced that the name of the Rhode Island Central
Trades' and Labor Union had been changed, Providence being substi-
tuted for Rhode Island.
It was voted to send ten delegates to the next meeting of the
Economic League.
June 29, 1902, a committee was appointed to solicit subscriptions
for a banner.
A communication from Stereotypers' Union relating to the refusal
of the Central Labor Union to seat its delegates was read at the June
meeting, but no action taken.
The strike of the Providence Street Railway Employes' Association
against the United Traction Company was endorsed, and it was voted
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 151
to levy a fine of $1 on any member of this Union patronizing the cars
of that company during the continuance of the strike.
Little but routine business was transacted at the July meeting.
Several vacancies on committees were filled, and a motion by Mr. Carl
Robb that $40 be appropriated for the purchase of a new banner was
ruled out of order by the presiding officer. It was then voted to parade
on Labor Day, and Eli Alford and Carl Robb were elected as marshal
and standard bearer, respectively. The re-election of these two gentle-
men to the offices they had so ably filled one year previous evidenced
the Union's appreciation of work well done.
For some time there had been dragging along in the courts an
action of the Union vs. J. J. Ryder & Co., for infringement of the
Union label. At the August meeting the delegates to the Allied
Printing Trades' Council reported that Mr. Ryder had been fined $30
for use of a counterfeit label.
Governor Garvin was endorsed for re-election, and at the Novem-
ber meeting his appointment of Joseph McDonald as factory inspector
was endorsed by resolution.
The name of George H. Pettis was placed on the Honorary List at
the August meeting.
September 28, a communication from the Eight-Hour Work Day
Committee of the I. T. U., urging action along lines suggested in an
accompanying circular, was received and a committee was appointed to
attend to the matter.
A communication from the International Women's Auxiliary was
received at the meeting held October 26, 1902.
The formation of an association of retail cigar dealers in opposition
to the tobacco trust was announced at the October meeting. The new
association had agreed to sell only Union cigars, it was stated, and
members who were in the habit of using B. L. plug tobacco were
advised that L. B., a Union-made plug, was an admirable substitute.
November 30, 1902, members were allowed to wear their hats dur-
ing the meeting, because the janitor had failed to have the room com-
fortably heated.
The banner committee reported that the object for which it had
been appointed was in sight— not ocularly, but prospectively.
Three delegates were appointed by the chair to attend a convention
called to consider the advisability of organizing a State Branch of the
American Federation of Labor. At the December meeting the dele-
gates announced that a branch had been duly organized and recom-
mended affiliation. The report was received and recommendation
adopted.
152 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
A ballot taken by the members present at the November meeting
on the Los Angeles assessment proposition, resulted in a vote of 33 in
favor of the assessment and 3 against.
Two amendments to the constitution were offered at the January
(1903) meeting, both relating to Article VII., governing " Dues." One
was for a flat assessment of 60 cents per month. The other was based
on the percentage plan. Both were laid over to the February meeting,
and at that meeting the former plan was adopted.
A committee appointed at the January meeting to wait on the
printing committee of the City Council, to urge that the city printing
be given to Union offices, reported at the February meeting that they
had been courteously received and given a fair hearing. That, how-
ever, was all.
Ten dollars was voted to Owosso-Carunna Union.
William S. Waudby of Rochester was endorsed for the office of
United States Labor Commissioner at the March meeting.
March 29, 1903, a committee of three was appointed to wait on the
Pressmen's Union— for the purpose of formulating a joint proposition
calling for increased wages and shorter hours. It was voted to procure
a ballot box and a copy of Cushing's Manual.
Along in the fall of 1920, President Lynch of the I. T. U. sent a
letter to Richard S. Rowland, editor-in-chief of the Providence Journal
Company, in which was set forth the relations then existing between
the International Typographical Union and 95 per cent, of the publish-
ers of daily papers in the United States. Mr. Rowland, for a period
covering several months, investigated the matter and found that Presi-
dent Lynch had not overstated in any particular the friendly feelings
existing between those proprietors and the Typographical Union. On
April 2, 1903, M. S. Dwyer, then publisher of the Journal, acting for
Mr. Rowland, instructed the foreman, William Carroll, to ascertain if
the men in the composing room desired that the office be made strictly
Union or remain as it then stood. After work had ceased that after-
noon, William Donovan, at the suggestion of the foreman, called the
men together in the composing room, and Mr. Carroll stated the object
of the gathering.
The proposition was a surprise to the men, and that fact caused an
inquiry as to the purpose of it— there being a suspicion on the part of
some that, as the Union scale, then existing, called for less than that
paid by the Journal Company, it might be for the purpose of reducing
wages.
Mr. Carroll said that although the matter had not appeared to him
in that light, he felt assured that he could, without consulting Mr.
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 153
Rowland, inform the men that such action was not intended. He
stated further that he believed, if the men desired the office strictly
Union, it would be made such. If they wished to have it remain as it
was, that would be the end of it.
It was then moved and seconded that the office be made a Union
office. The motion was put and carried unanimously. The same
question was asked that evening of the men who worked nights, with
the same result.
Information of the result was given to Mr. Dwyer by Mr. Carroll,
and Mr. Dwyer asked that a committee from the Union call upon Mr.
Howland to arrange for the contemplated change.
A special meeting of the Union was called April 5, 1903, for the
purpose of appointing a committee to confer with Mr. Howland, and at
that meeting it was voted that a committee consisting of the I. T. U.
Organizer, the President of the Union, and three members to be
appointed, meet Mr. Howland the following day. President Palmer
appointed Andrew F. Moran, Ira N. Tew and James H. Russell, to act
with himself and I. T. U. Organizer McMahon.
The committee was given full power to consummate negotiations,
and at the regular meeting held April 26, the committee submitted a
signed agreement and a scale of prices. The new scale provided for
an advance in wages ranging from 12% per cent, to 33% per cent., and
in all respects the best scale ever negotiated by Providence Union up
to that time — the agreement to continue until February 6, 1906.
The scale submitted by the committee was adopted at the meeting
as the scale of the Union ; the agreement was ratified and the commit-
tee discharged with thanks.
Mr. Robb, for the committee appointed to purchase a new banner,
reported that $30 had been subscribed by members, and asked that the
Union appropriate the balance necessary for its purchase. It was voted
that $25 be placed at the disposal of the committee. At the August
meeting the committee reported the purchase of a banner at a cost of
$50, leaving a balance of $5, which was returned to the treasury.
The resignation of President Palmer, presented at the April meet-
ing immediately after the ratification of the agreement and adoption
of the scale of prices, was taken from the table at the May meeting.
Before action could be taken, Mr. DeLeeuw asked permission to make
a few remarks out of the regular order. He then presented to Presi-
dent Palmer $100 on behalf of the members employed in the Journal,
Telegram and News chapels. Mr. Palmer replied fittingly. A motion
that the resignation be accepted did not reach a vote, Mr. Palmer with-
drawing the resignation.
154 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
A book and job scale, embodying the 8-hour day and $16 per week,
was adopted at the meeting held May 31, 1903, the same to go into
effect September 14, 1903. A compromise was effected between the
Typothetae and the Union in relation to this scale, the Typothetae
agreeing to the increase of wages with no reduction of the working
hours — 54 for the week.
June 28, 1903, it was reported that some members of the Press-
men's Union were, at times, called to work on the " case " in two of
the large offices, and it was voted that the Pressmen's Union be
requested to instruct its members to cease the practice. The Press-
men's Union replied that it could do nothing in the premises. It was
then decided to call the attention of the I. T. U. officials to the matter.
It was voted at the July meeting to protest against the action of
the Board of State Charities and Corrections in importing a man to act
as instructor of printing at the Sockanosset School when many capable
men were available at home.
A copy of the protest was sent to Governor Garvin, and by His
Excellency returned to the Union, with the information that the chief
executive was powerless to grant relief in the premises.
At the August meeting George B. Sullivan was elected to represent
No. 33 at the convention of the State Federation of Labor to be held
at Woonsocket.
Ten dollars was appropriated for the benefit of the Journeymen
Horseshoers' Union of Providence.
A special meeting was held at Allied Printing Trades'. Council hall,
98 Weybosset street, on Sunday, September 13, 1903, to receive the
report of a committee appointed to submit to the master printers the
scale of prices adopted at the May meeting. Mr. Sullivan, for this com-
mittee, gave a full account of the conference with the Typothetae, and
also read a counter proposition submitted by that organization. The
committee recommended that the proposition be rejected. This action
was taken. It was then voted that the scale of prices, as adopted by
this Union, be enforced as soon as sanctioned by the I. T. U. executive
council.
The Union was called together again the following Friday (Sep-
tember 18). The hall of the Providence Workmen's Beneficial Asso-
ciation was occupied on this occasion. Mr. Shannon, for the scale
committee, read a revised proposition submitted by the master printers.
It was then voted to accept the revised proposition, of which the
following is a copy :
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 155
AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
AND
PROVIDENCE -TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION, No. 33
FOR BOOK AND JOB OFFICES
TIME WORK
SECTION 1. Book and job compositors, when employed by the week, shall receive
not less than Sixteen dollars per week ; fifty-four hours to constitute a weeks' work.
SEC. 2. Overtime shall be paid for at the rate of time and one-half until 12 o'clock,
midnight. When required to work until 9 P. M. or later, one half hour shall be given and
paid for by the office. All work done on Sundays or holidays shall be paid for at the
rate of double time. By the term " holidays " is meant Memorial Day, Fourth of July,
Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
SEC. 3. Apprentices shall be limited as follows: One apprentice to every four
journeymen or less, and one apprentice to each additional four journeymen or majority
fraction thereof, but in no case to have more than three apprentices in a less proportion
than one to eight journeymen. The term of apprenticeship shall be four years.
SEC. 4. No apprentice shall run a typesetting machine until within six months of
the expiration of his term of apprenticeship. All apprentices shall be registered accord-
ing to International Typographical Union regulations.
SEC. '5. The hours of labor shall be between 7 A. M. and 6 P. M.
The above scale of prices is hereby agreed upon between, etc., etc.
The scale adopted May 31 was then amended to comply with the
above agreement.
At a later meeting it was reported that every large firm in the city
had signed, except one.
George B. Sullivan reported as delegate to the State Federation
and received the thanks of the Union for the excellent manner in which
he had represented No. 33.
The finances of the Union at no time warranted the inordinate
bonding of its treasurer. That something might accumulate within
its "strong box," however, time and again it had been proposed to
increase the dues, and time and again the proposition had been
defeated. Such was the fate of the proposition offered at the October
meeting, providing for an increase of dues of 10 cents per month per
member. The proposed amendment to the constitution read as fol-
lows:
" The dues of this Union shall be seventy cents per month, ten cents of which sum
shall be set aside as a fund to enforce eight-hour legislation."
Other amendments were offered at the same time to those sections
of the constitution which would necessarily be affected by the adoption
of the above amendment.
Notwithstanding the provision in the above amendment that set
aside the increase for the exclusive benefit of the job printers, it was
just that element that compassed its defeat.
156 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
A counter proposition was offered, providing for the assessment of
dues upon the percentage plan, the amendment reading :
" The dues of this Union shall be one per cent, per week of weekly earnings."
Both amendments were laid over until the following meeting, when
both were defeated — the percentage plan' receiving 38 votes to 35
against, and the 70-cent flat assessment receiving 41 votes to 31
against.
Mr. Manshell, of the Sun Printing Company, was extended a vote
of thanks for furnishing the Union gratuitously certain printed matter.
A political circular, bearing the Union label, reflecting upon the
Union principles of a former member and ex-President of the Union,
which had been under investigation for some weeks, was discussed at
the November meeting. The committee having the matter in charge
reported that it was satisfied that there had been no unlawful use of
the label and recommended that the matter be dropped, inasmach as a
resolution exonerating the gentleman accused had been passed at the
October meeting.
December 27, 1903, the committee intrusted to prepare this history
of the Union was appointed, and resolutions defining its powers and
privileges were adopted. The committee, as originally organized, com-
prised the following: William Carroll, John A. Shannon, William
Palmer, George B. Sullivan and William J. Meegan.
At the time of the appointment of this committee it was believed,
and in reality is a fact, that Providence Union was organized June,
1856, and that its 50th anniversary would, therefore, occur June, 1906 ;
but, for reasons stated in the introduction, 1907 was chosen as more
appropriate under the circumstances.
Twenty-five dollars was voted for the preliminary expenses of the
committee at the adjourned meeting held February 7, 1904.
The minutes of the meeting held January 31, 1904, are missing,
but it is remembered, as the record of the following meeting suggests,
that no business of importance was transacted, adjournment being
taken to the following Sunday that the members might attend the
funeral services of Charles H. Hopkins.
The adjourned meeting was held February 7, 1904, in Allied Print-
ing Trades' Council hall, 95 Westminster street.
Resolutions of respect for our departed brother, Charles H. Hopkins,
were adopted, and the charter of the Union ordered draped for a period
of 45 days — one day for each year of his life.
A committee which had been previously appointed to consider the
advisability of holding a ball or entertainment of some sort, reported
the proposal as inexpedient at that time.
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 157
The Los Angeles Times committee reported progress in its work.
A dues scheme— something of a straddle of the flat rate system
and the percentage plan — was defeated ; ayes 27, nays 23. A propo-
sition to levy an assessment of 10 cents per month for a period of six
months was also defeated.
The regular February meeting was held Sunday, the 28th.
The Allied Printing Trades' Council delegates reported that the
label had been taken from the Telegram. The discussion which fol-
lowed was somewhat animated and prolonged. It was finally voted to
ask the council to restore the label pending the arrival of Organizer
McMahon. It was also voted that President Geer proceed to Boston to
confer with the organizer, to the end that the matter might be settled
as quickly as possible.
The trouble was precipitated substantially as follows : A News-
paper Writers' Union had been organized in this city, and soon after its
formation its President was discharged by the Telegram manage-
ment for the reason, as stated by the deposed President, that he
belonged to the Union. The Telegram management denied that the
man was discharged for any such reason. Being represented by dele-
gates in the Allied Printing Trades' Council, the newspaper writers
succeeded in having that body remove the label from the Telegram.
After the adjournment of the February meeting it was expected
that something definite would be accomplished in regard to the matter
before the time for the March meeting, but such was not to be. Presi-
dent Greer was not present at the March meeting, he having accepted
work in Boston. Organizer McMahon had not visited Providence in
the meanwhile. Things remained in statu quo. It was then voted
that the I. T. U. officers be fully informed of the situation. The label
was not restored to the Telegram until July, delegates to the Allied
Printing Trades' Council reporting to that effect. In the meantime,
the Newspaper Writers' Union had ceased to exist.
An honorable withdrawal card was granted to H. B. Ladd at the
meeting held March 27, 1904.
Ex-Financial Secretary Abell, who had retired from the business,
was present at the March meeting and gave an interesting account of
the "simple life" he was then practicing, and extended a cordial
invitation to all members to visit him " down on the farm."
At the April meeting it was voted to send one delegate to represent
Providence at the I. T. U. convention to be held at St. Louis. The
names of six members were placed in nomination, four of whom with-
drew before the election. An assessment of $1 per member was levied
on the June card. At the May meeting the election committee reported
158 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
that William J. Meegan had been elected delegate, and $100 was appro-
priated for expenses. At the July meeting $50 additional was appro-
priated.
A donation of $5 was voted to Parkersburg, W. Va., Union at the
April meeting.
Mr. Paquette of the Bakers' and Confectioners' Union addressed
the members at the May meeting, and asked the moral support of the
printers for the Bakers' Union, which was then on strike for recogni-
tion as an organization.
George B. Sullivan was endorsed as Providence Union's candidate
for I. T. U. Organizer, and a committee appointed to present his candi-
dacy to other Unions for endorsement.
To a member who had been ill and who wished to return to his
native home, $10 was voted.
At the June meeting Mr. Reed of the Western Federation of
Miners addressed the members and gave a graphic account of the
doings of the " Citizens' Alliance " in the mining districts of Colorado.
The Union sympathized with the miners to the extent of $10, and a
committee appointed to solicit contributions for the same purpose for-
warded to miners' headquarters $12.50 more.
It was voted that the July meeting be held in Squantum woods,
and a committee was appointed to make arrangements for shelter in the
event of bad weather. The secretary was instructed to notify all
members of the change of place of meeting.
In accordance with the above vote the July meeting was held in
the woods, it not being necessary to seek shelter, the day being delight-
ful. Twenty-four members were present.
An ideal spot, surrounded and shaded by a group of hemlocks, was
selected ; and after President Daniel O'Connor had wormed himself into
a comfortable position upon the ragged edges of a huge boulder, he
declared the meeting open for the transaction of business.
The executive committee reported that a bundle of tickets from
Norwalk Union had been disposed of to individual members and the
proceeds forwarded to that Union, and an appeal for financial aid from
Freight Handlers' Union was laid on the table because the strike for
which the aid was asked had been declared off.
Delegates to the Central Trades' and Labor Union reported that a
meeting of delegates from all organizations intending to take part in
the parade on Labor Day would be held Tuesday evening, August 2,
for the purpose of electing a chief marshal. Six delegates were
appointed to attend that meeting, and by vote, George Wilson of the
Cigarmakers' Union was endorsed for the position of chief marshal.
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 159
A committee was appointed to decide where it would be advisable
to hold the next meeting.
The August meeting was called to order in the Union's regular
quarters in Labor Temple.
William Carroll was elected delegate to the State Federation con-
vention to be held at Newport.
Tickets for a ball to be held Labor Day at Trinidad, Col., were
received and laid on the table, and a communication announcing a ball
game between Outlet clerks and Photo-Engravers' Union was received
and placed on file.
The delegates to the C. T. and L. U. were instructed to protest
against sending the Labor Day Programme to Boston to be printed.
September 25, 1904, delegates to the Central Trades' and Labor
Union reported that a committee had been appointed by that body for
the purpose of organizing a Woman's Auxiliary, to be composed of the
wives and daughters of members of the different Unions affiiliated with
the C. T. and L. U.
A committee of five was appointed to draw up a new contract for
book and job offices, and the committee was instructed to hold itself
in readiness to meet a committee of master printers, that agree-
ment might be had for the year 1905 between employing printers and
the Union. The committee was also empowered to formulate a scale
for weekly newspapers. George B. Sullivan reported at a meeting held
December 18, that the committee had met the master printers and had
submitted a scale of prices differing slightly from the one then in oper-
ation. A communication was read in which a discussion of the eight-hour
day was declined by the master printers. At the January (1905) meet-
ing the committee reported that an agreement had been reached, and
asked that the same be ratified by the Union. That action was taken
and the committee empowered to obtain signatures to the contract.
February 26, 1905, the committee reported nine offices signed and an
agreement with the proprietor of the Weekly Visitor. March 26, prac-
tically all offices were reported signed-.
A committee was also appointed at the September (1904) meeting,
for the purpose of revising the constitution. At the October meeting
this committee was ordered to report at the November meeting, under
penalty of discharge for failure. The committee protected itself
from the disgrace so generously provided by submitting a printed list
of proposed amendments. The report was received and laid on the
table for one month. At the meeting held December 18, 1904, consid-
erable progress was made with its reading and several sections were
adopted. Amendments to the proposed amendments, however, began
160 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
to interrupt the work, and the greater part of the printed list was laid
over until the next meeting, and at that meeting consideration of the
amendments was postponed. At the May (1905) meeting a new com-
mittee was appointed to correct and revise the constitution, and at the
July meeting this committee requested members to bring in their
changes and proposed amendments that the committee might be able
to offer a report which would, perhaps, meet with less objections. No
further progress was made with the work of adopting the amendments
until at a special meeting held November 15, 1905, when about one-half
of the unfinished matter was gone over. That ended consideration of
the amendments until May 26, 1907, the matter being postponed from
month to month. At the May meeting it was voted to devote one-half
hour to the consideration of the amendments at that and each subse-
quent meeting until the adoption of the constitution as amended be
completed. The matter is still before the Union.
Still another committee appointed at the September (1904) meeting,
was one authorized to prepare for some form of entertainment of the
members. On Tuesday evening, November 15, 1904, the committee in
charge provided a bounteous feast, consisting of a turkey supper with
all the fixings, coffee and ice cream. Because of a boycott on one of
the leading caterers by the Bakers' Union, the affair was held in Labor
Temple hall, and the supper served by a member of the Waiters' Alli-
ance. After the tables were cleared away the members gathered about
to listen to the exercises provided by the committee. President O'Con-
nor made a felicitous address and introduced William Carroll as toast-
master. Hugh O'Halloran, ex-President of Boston Union, made the
principal address, in which he ably set forth the duty of members to
the Union, and the benefits to be derived therefrom. Other speakers
were George B. Sullivan, President Charles A. Salisbury of Pawtucket
Union, James Muspratt, Samuel R. Macready on " The Oldest Printer,"
and William J. Meegan on the " Printers' Envelope." Singing, dancing,
and a sparring match between Monk, the Newsboy, and Little Mike,
gave variety to the programme. William Carroll, John P. Dorl and
William Lewis comprised the committee.
November 27, 1904, the request of a Mr. Olyott that he be given
permission to practice on a spare Mergenthaler machine in the News
office was refused.
Because the regular December meeting was scheduled to fall on
Christmas Day it was voted to hold the next meeting on Sunday,
December 18.
The death of Clarence E. Burtwell was announced at the December
meeting, and the secretary was instructed to obtain the names of all
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 161
deceased members and have the same inscribed on the memorial tablet,
presented some years previous by Judson A. Keach.
Delegates to the Central Labor Union reported at the meeting held
January 29, 1905, that many of the Union labels were being counter-
feited or imitated, and that the word " Union " was being used as part
of the name of many non-union articles.
At this meeting the treasurer reported a notification from the
International Union that Providence Union was in arrears for per
capita tax. Charges were then preferred against the financial secre-
tary for withholding Union moneys. The charges were deemed cog-
nizable and a committee appointed to take testimony. A great amount
of labor on the part of the auditing committee was necessary to arrive
at a just conclusion as to the amount involved. The affair was event-
ually settled by the Union accepting a note for $150, payable in six
months. Bitter feeling was engendered during the discussion of the
matter at the different meetings, at one of which charges were pre-
ferred against the President for neglect of duty. These charges were,
however, deemed not cognizable by a unanimous vote.
That the Building Trades' Council was about to issue a monthly
magazine was announced at the January meeting, and it was voted to
take space in the book for the purpose of advertising those offices using
the Union label.
A committee of two was appointed at the meeting held February
26, 1905, to appear before a legislative committee and favor the adop-
tion of a law requiring the labeling of convict-made goods. This
committee reported March 26, and recommended that a standing com-
mittee be appointed to attend to such matters in the future.
The official handbook of the Barbers' Union, not bearing the Union
label, was given to the delegates to the Allied Printing Trades' Council
for investigation. The delegates reported later that the work had been
done in a Union office.
A communication from Pawtucket Union in relation to the transfer
of matrices from a Providence paper to one in Pawtucket, was referred
back to Pawtucket Union.
Notice of a field day to be known as May Day, and to be held Sun-
day, May 7, by the Central Trades' and Labor Union and Building
Trades' Council was announced at the March meeting.
The attention of the Union was also called to a resolution adopted
by the Central Trades' and Labor Union, denying moral or financial
support to any organization refusing to submit its contract for inspec-
tion by that body before the same shall be formally signed.
At the meeting held April 30, 1905, the death of William H. Jillson
was announced, and a letter from Mr. Jillson's father, expressing thanks
162 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
for the many courtesies extended to his son, was read by the President,
who stated that the death benefit had been paid to the senior Mr.
Jillson.
A case or cover for the preservation of the banner was ordered at
this meeting, and Carl Robb was delegated to procure the same.
It was voted to send two delegates, one from the book and job
branch and one from the newspaper branch, to the Toronto convention
of the International Typographical Union. Six candidates were nomi-
nated— three from each branch. At a special meeting held in Musi-
cian's hall, May 10, 1905, a committee was appointed to attend to the
election, and it was voted to keep the polls open from 4 to 8.15 P. M.
The election was held May 17, at 93 M> Clemence street. Eli Alford for
the newspaper branch and Maurice E. Hughes for the job branch were
elected. The total number of votes cast was 136. At the May meet-
ing a motion to assess the membership $1.50 was laid over to the June
meeting, and at that meeting the assessment proposition was withdrawn
and a motion was passed transferring $150 from the eight-hour fund to
the general fund, provision being made to replenish the eight-hour fund
with the money soon due on note for $150. This amount was divided
between the delegates. There were 31 members present at the meet-
ing at which the transfer was made, the meeting being held at Boy den
Heights.
At the May meeting it was voted to give up Labor Temple for a
period of three months, it having been voted to meet at Boyden Heights
June, July and August.
Edgar 0. Beacham was elected delegate to the New England Allied
Printing Trades' convention at Fall River, $10 being voted as expenses.
An eight-hour committee was appointed and given power to call a
meeting at any time.
June 25, 1905, the meeting was called to order at " The Lookout,"
a high point of land overlooking Narragansett Bay, and close to the
Squantum Club grounds.
Delegates to the Central Trades' and Labor Union reported that the
President of that organization had, upon his own request, been author-
ized to issue a weekly paper. The project had been opposed by No. 33's
delegates because of abuse of like privilege in the past and the danger
involved in giving one man authority to speak for so great and diver-
sified interests.
The July and August meetings were held in the open air and near
the same locality as the June meeting, the minutes all being dated
Boyden Heights.
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 163
At the July meeting there were 27 members present and a com-
mittee of five was appointed to draw up a scale of prices for newspaper
work, to replace the scale appearing in the agreements expiring Febru-
ary 1, 1906.
After adjournment the minutes state that ample justice was done
to a shore dinner in honor of Organizer Charles Scott, who was present.
At the August meeting the committee on summer outings made a
final report, and the secretary was instructed to thank the manager of
Boyden Heights for courtesies extended to the Union.
John Moffitt, President of the New England Allied Printing Trades,
gave a brief history of the work accomplished in the Providence
district.
A committee was appointed to make arrangements for a parade on
Labor Day, and it was voted that all members not parading be fined $3.
The secretary was instructed to call the roll on Labor Day. It was also
voted to provide carriages for female members.
Cards, bearing a list of label offices, were ordered printed and
distributed.
A motion that " no printer be allowed in the line on Labor Day
unless he shall wear Union-made shoes, clothes and hat," was lost.
The mover of the motion then gave notice that he would refuse to
parade with any printer who did not wear Union-made clothing.
William Carroll was elected delegate to the convention of the State
Federation of Labor at Westerly.
The meeting of September 24, 1905, was held in Labor Temple
hall. The eight-hour and newspaper scale committees reported
progress.
It was voted that the President and secretary notify the master
printers that the Union would ask for a change in the book and job
scale, January 1, 1906.
On motion, John J. Horton was elected reading clerk, that office
having been created at the same meeting. The minutes state that Mr.
Horton was escorted to a chair amid great applause.
The organization of a Typographical Union in the Pawtuxet Valley
was announced at this meeting.
A communication from Boston Union requesting the attendance
of a delegate to represent Providence Union at a conference of New
England Unions, to be held at Boston for the purpose of discussing the
proposed demand for an eight-hour day, was received, and H. S. Richard-
son was chosen to act for Providence Union. Four dollars per day was
voted the delegate for expenses. At the October meeting the delegate
read the resolutions adopted at the eight-hour conference.
164 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
George H. Brown, delegate to the Central Trades' and Labor Union,
recommended that Providence Union draft some sort of a resolution of
protest against having the official Labor Day Programme printed in
Boston. The delegate was instructed to attend to the matter himself.
October 29, 1905, the newspaper scale committee presented its
report, and it was voted that the same be made the special order at the
next meeting, all members to be notified to that effect. At the Novem-
ber meeting those of the proposed changes differing radically from the
scale then in operation, were defeated. The scale as adopted was still
further compromised by the committee negotiating the contracts with
the newspaper publishers, the result being practically the same scale as
the one previously in force.
The President announced that he had notified the master printers
in regard to a change in the book and job contracts for January 1, 1906,
and also said that he had called a special meeting two weeks previous for
the purpose of discussing the amendments to the constitution, but that
the meeting had not been held because few had attended. It was then
voted to call a special meeting within 30 days for the purpose of consid-
ering the constitution.
It was voted that in event of the passage of the 50-cent assessment,
a ballot on which was about to be taken, the Union pay the same for all
members who may be unemployed during the life of the assessment.
The count of the vote showed that Providence Union had endorsed the
proposition — 52 to 6.
The resignation of William Abell as financial secretary, and that of
Eli Alford as recording secretary, was laid on the table for one month.
At the meeting held November 26, 1905, a motion that the scale, as
adopted, be submitted to the Central Trades' and Labor Union for
approval, was laid on the table. The scale was ordered printed and the
scale committee discharged. A committee was then appointed to nego-
tiate contracts. At the December meeting the proposition to submit
the scale to the Central Trades' and Labor Union for ratification was
defeated, and on motion the delegates to that body were instructed to
maintain a discreet silence about the whole matter.
A communication from the International Typographical Union in
regard to the 50-cent assessment was read, and the suggestion made
that the assessment be raised to $1, the additional 50 cents to be
retained by the local Union to help finance the eight-hour movement.
It was voted to so assess all earning over $15 per week. To obtain
exemption of the assessment, out-of-work members were required to
report to the financial secretary.
"Robert F William K.
Carroll. powers
Wallace.
Kaskma
JbHn
Keen an
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 165
A motion that the salary of the financial secretary be increased to
$10 per week, with $2.50 per week for office hire, was laid on the table
for one month, and at the December meeting the matter was laid on
the table, where it still remains. .
The resignation of the financial secretary was accepted at the
November meeting and the names of three candidates were offered in
nomination to fill the vacancy. Charles Carroll was elected.
The resignation of the recording secretary was not accepted.
Officers for the ensuing year were then nominated.
A special meeting was held December 26, 1905, in Musicians' hall,
at which the proposed International Typographical Union assessment
of 10 per cent, on weekly earnings was discussed. Organizer Scott and
John Moffitt of the New England Allied Printing Trades spoke in favor
of the proposition. To obtain the sentiment of those present, a test
ballot was taken, which showed but one dissenting vote.
Communications from various members of the Typothetae were
read, in which little encouragement was given of a peaceable accept-
ance of the eight-hour contract. The letters from the independent
firms were, on the contrary, most favorable.
The book and job scale was then taken up, and it was voted that
those sections be considered adopted to which no objection was offered
at their reading. The scale was then adopted, no objection or amend-
ments being offered to any of the sections. A motion to postpone the
adoption of the scale as a whole until the following Sunday was carried,
but later reconsidered, and the vote was then taken. The count showed
that the scale had been adopted by a vote of 58 for, one against.
The committee appointed to collect and count the vote on the 10
per cent, assessment proposition announced that they had secured Hall
No. 2, Labor Temple, and that the polls would be open Wednesday
evening, December 27, from 6 to 8 P. M., for the accommodation of
those members who did not vote in chapels. The committee reported
at the meeting held December 31, that a total vote of 136 had been
cast — 123 for the assessment, 13 against.
The President announced that the eight-hour committee would
hold an open meeting in Musician's hall, Friday night, December 29, at
8 o'clock.
The amount in the local treasury, as announced by the treasurer at
the special meeting, was $846.32.
The meeting adjourned at 11 o'clock P. M., after having been in
session about three hours.
At the regular meeting held December 31, 1905, a communication
from President Lynch was read, which advised that no men be called
166 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
from " open " or non-union offices, until such a course was sanctioned
by the executive council of the International Typographical Union.
President O'Connor stated that he, in conjunction with the executive
committee of Providence Union, after considering every phase of the
matter, recommended that the men be called from every office where
the eight-hour day had been refused.
A motion passed at the special meeting just previous, "that the
President be authorized to instruct the members at the next meeting
what course will be taken on January 1, 1906," was no doubt responsi-
ble for the President's recommendation, which was concurred in by the
Union.
The executive committee reported that during the month they had
received a communication from the Providence Printing Pressmen's
Union, protesting against one of our members doing presswork. Inves-
tigation showed that said member was foreman of the office .and clearly
within his right in peforming any work under his control.
The newspaper scale committee reported that the management of
the Telegram was ready to meet the committee, but insisted that the
committee must possess full power to negotiate the contract. The com-
mittee was clothed with the proper authority. At the meeting held
January 28, 1906, the committee reported contracts closed with the
Telegram and Journal companies for a period of five years. At the
February meeting the committee reported that the signing of the con-
tract with the News had been delayed and that a conference between
the chairman of the committee and Mr. Brown of the News, held that
morning, February 25, 1906, had resulted in a deadlock. The com-
mittee, however, were of the opinion that the matter would be satis-
factorily adjusted on or before March 1. The report of the committee
at the March meeting was received as one of progress. The signing of
the contract with the News occurred shortly after the adjournment of
that meeting.
The secretary was instructed at the December (1905) meeting to
ask the Board of Directors of the Musicians' Union to use its influ-
ence with members of that Union to employ the Union label on their
individual business and address cards. At the meeting held June 24,
1906, the secretary was instructed to draft a suitable answer to a com-
munication from the Musicians' Union stating that the printers' inter-
ests were being attended to.
J. J. Manning of the Barbers' Union was endorsed as a candidate
for appointment as member of the Barbers' Commission.
A communication from the International Ladies' .Auxiliary, urging
the formation of a local branch, was read, and three ex-delegates,
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 167
Messrs. Meegan, Alford and Hughes, were appointed a committee on
organization of a local auxiliary. At the January (1906) meeting the
committee reported that it believed it would be possible to organize an
auxiliary by the expenditure of a little money. The committee was
given full power to go ahead. At the February meeting the committee
reported progress, and at the March meeting the committee recom-
• mended that the Union provide for an open meeting of the auxiliary,
and also asked that No. 33 pay for the auxiliary charter and the
first quarter's dues of the members then enrolled. The recommenda-
tions were adopted. The open meeting was held in Gelb's parlors on
the night of Ash Wednesday, the committee unfortunately selecting
that date without being aware of its significance to many who might
have attended. However, a permanent organization was perfected,
and for a while the auxiliary held its meetings at the homes of different
members. A hall has since been secured for its gatherings, and the
auxiliary is now in a thriving condition. At the first meeting held for
the purpose of organizing the auxiliary, John W. Hays, First Vice-
President of the International Union, was present, and addressed the
ladies assembled. Mr. Hays commended the purpose of the gathering,
and gave a brief outline of the progress of the eight-hour strike. At
the close of the meeting a social hour was enjoyed., during which light
refreshments were served.
The 50-cent local assessment was discontinued at the December
(1905) meeting.
The " strike " for the eight-hour day was inaugurated January 1,
1906, and at the meeting held January 28, President O'Connor, who had
been assigned to handle the matter, made a report of the situation,
showing conditions that existed in the shops before and after the incep-
tion of the strike. At this meeting the strike benefit was increased
from $5 to $7 for single men, and from $7 to $10 for married men. An
account of the strike, written by Financial Secretary Charles Carroll,
covering all of its salient features from the beginning up to September
1, 1907, will be found immediately following this story.
A committee from Pawtucket Typographical Union was given the
privilege of the floor at the January meeting, and asked that Providence
Union endorse a resolution which Pawtucket Union had adopted, call-
ing upon the Legislature to place the Union label on State printing.
The resolution was endorsed and the delegates to the Central Trades'
and Labor Union and the Allied Printing Trades' Council were in-
structed to present the resolution to their respective bodies for adoption.
A communication from President Lynch, offering all needed financial
aid during the strike, was read at the meeting held February 25, 1906.
168 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
One year's subscription to the "Progressive Printer" was ordered,
the magazine to be addressed to the Providence Public Library.
The death of Harry F. Davis was announced at this meeting, and
a communication from Henry R. Davis, his father, was read, thanking
the Union for its expression of sympathy.
Charges were preferred against a member for entering into a
private contract with his employer, at the February meeting, and a
committee appointed to take testimony. At the May meeting the
member was expelled for " ratting," after having been found guilty.
Communications from Erie in regard to poster work being done in
unfair shops in that city for Providence firms, and from New York,
urging a boycott of certain magazines, were referred to the strike
committee.
At the March meeting the label committee distributed copies of a
book containing the names and business addresses of 325 firms and
individuals who had agreed to have the Union label on all printing
ordered in the future.
Two members (Messrs. Houle and Pike) were appointed to repre-
sent Providence at a Union label demonstration to be held at Brockton.
They were accompanied by Mrs. Abell and Mrs. Hughes of the Ladies'
Auxiliary.
The financial secretary's report for March was $2,640.25 collected.
At the meeting held April 29, 1906, it was voted to send one dele-
gate to the Colorado Springs convention of the International Union.
Eight candidates were nominated, four of whom withdrew before the
day of election. Daniel O'Connor received a pronounced plurality and
within a few votes of a majority over the field of candidates. A motion
to set aside $150 for use of the delegate was defeated at the June meet-
ing. At the July meeting a motion was passed appropriating $150 for
that purpose. It was decided by vote at the September meeting not to
allow a bill presented by the delegate for $50 for expenses incurred
over and above the original appropriation, and a resolution appropriating
$50 for that purpose, offered at the same meeting, was laid on the table.
The executive committee reported at the April meeting that the
men employed by the Providence Linotype Company had been ordered
out. It also reported that $15 had been contributed to the San Fran-
cisco earthquake sufferers, and the Union voted to open subscription
lists in all offices within its jurisdiction.
Committees were appointed to draw up suitable resolutions on the
deaths of James L. Bicknell and Charles Williams.
It was also voted at this meeting that overtime in newspaper offices
be made accumulative.
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 169
At the May meeting Charles H. Lee was elected delegate to the
New England Allied Printing Trades' convention at Springfield.
Twenty dollars was voted for expenses.
Report had been made to the executive committee by the chairman
of one of the newspaper offices that he had been insulted by a member
of the Union while in the pursuit of his duties as chairman. The
executive committee at the May meeting recommended that said chair-
man be instructed to fine said member one day's pay ($3.50), to be paid
on or before the next regular meeting. It was provided that the chair-
man might accept an apology in lieu of the fine. The recommendation
of the committee was adopted, but the chairman failed to carry out
instructions.
In view of the number of Italians seeking admission to the Union,
it was voted to add an Italian member to the inquiry committee.
The application of a member on strike for permission to leave the
city and at the same time draw strike benefits was denied by the execu-
tive committee, and the action sustained by the Union at the July
meeting.
Resolutions condemning the Republican party for its failure to give
a hearing on the eight-hour proposition submitted at the 1906 session of
the State Legislature, were passed at the July meeting. During the
campaign which followed, these resolutions were the subject of much
newspaper comment and political oratory.
It was voted to parade Labor Day, and a committee of six was
appointed with full power to make arrangements. It was also voted
that all members not parading be fined $2. The names of those members
who did not parade were read at the September meeting, and the secre-
tary was instructed to collect the fine provided. At the meeting held
January 27, 1907, the secretary was again instructed to collect the fines
due the Union from members who did not parade Labor Day. The
fine was assessed on the February card, and, after having been col-
lected, at the February meeting the fines were remitted and the money
returned by the secretary.
Organizer Scott was present at the August (1906) meeting and
stated that he had been authorized to offer $75 to Providence Union
for the purpose of pushing the label campaign. The gift was accepted
with thanks.
The Central Trades and Labor Union delegates were instructed to
endeavor to have the Labor Day book printed in Providence.
Charles H. Lee was elected delegate to the State Federation con-
vention. William Carroll and Samuel R. Macready were elected dele-
gates to attend a special convention of the State Federation.
170 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
A special meeting was held October 8, 1906. The meeting was
held for the purpose of taking action on the following propositions :
" Shall a local assessment of three per cent, be levied on the earnings of members
of Providence Typographical Union for the purpose of assisting in financing the strike
in this jurisdiction ? "
" Shall Providence Typographical Union endorse the candidacy of one of its mem-
bers, William Palmer, for the office of Secretary of State, and take such action as, in its
judgment, will best further the interests of his candidacy ? "
Both propositions were carried unanimously, and a committee was
appointed to promote Mr. Palmer's candidacy by securing the endorse-
ment of other Unions. The three per cent, assessment was supended
at the regular October meeting.
At the meeting held October 28, a member of a committee appointed
at the September meeting to solicit campaign funds to be used by the
State Federation of Labor, related his experience and asked that the
committee be discharged.
Five dollars was appropriated for the purpose of establishing an
apprentice column in the Typographical Journal.
The chairman of the Journal office was instructed to use his good
offices to persuade the Journal barber to join the Barbers' Union, and
a committee was appointed to assist the Stationary Engineers in their
effort to unionize the Journal boiler room.
Twenty-five dollars was voted the Lithographers' Union to assist
them in their effort for an eight-hour day.
A communication from a member desiring to withdraw .from the
Union was placed in the hands of the strike committee, with instruc-
tions to urge the member to consider the seriousness of his contem-
plated action.
A recess of 45 minutes was taken at the meeting held December
30, 1906, for the purpose of electing officers.
A committee of four was appointed at the December meeting to
investigate the origin of several defamatory circulars which had been
issued during the heat of the campaign for local Union offices. Imme-
diately after the January meeting, at which but one member of
the committee was present, there appeared an anonymous satirical
booklet, comprising about sixteen pages, which purported to give
an idea of the methods pursued by the committee in its investi-
gation. Besides the references to the committee, the booklet exploited
the pecularities of a number of well-known Union characters. At the
February meeting the committee reported its inability to place the
responsibility for the circulars, and asked that it be discharged, but was
continued, the latest publication to be included in a further inquiry.
March 31, 1907, the literary sleuths were discharged after reporting
" non est inventus."
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 171
At the meeting held January 27, 1907, a committee was appointed
to prepare for the celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of Providence
Typographical Union, and the committee on history of the Union was
given one month to report ways and means for its publication. At the
February meeting this committee presented a plan of procedure which
was sanctioned by the Union.
The International Typographical Union per capita card was adopted
at the January meeting. •
At the February meeting an invitation to attend an open meeting
of the Woman's Auxiliary, to be held March 19, was accepted.
The executive committee was instructed to communicate with the
executive council of the Foresters of America in regard to using the
label on its printing.
The resignation of Rudolph DeLeeuw as treasurer was laid on the
table. Mr. DeLeeuw was induced to withdraw his resignation, and is
still serving the Union in that capacity.
Delegates previously elected to the Label League reported at the
February meeting, and at the March meeting an assessment of one cent
per member was voted to help defray the expense of publishing the
Label League Bulletin.
A communication from the State Federation in regard to making
election day a legal holiday, was endorsed at the March meeting.
The ball de luxe of Providence Union was given by a committee
appointed at the November (1906) meeting. At the December meeting
this committee was authorized to go ahead with the venture. At the
Eloise on February 4, 1907, at 8 o'clock P. M. the dance was on to the
music of the Standard Union Orchestra. From that hour until one
o'clock A. M. about 75 couples enjoyed the 22 numbers on the pro-
gramme. A quartette composed of Percy J. Cantwell, George Libby,
Thomas Franey and Edward Young sang several selections during the
evening. Charles J. Rothemich acted as floor director, with Robert E.
Newton as assistant. The aids were Walter B. Norton, Thomas A.
Scales, Walter B. Davis, Daniel E. Mooney, Joseph E. Devenish and Eli
Alford. The committee of arrangements were Daniel O'Connor,
Charles H. Christie, Carl C. Robb, C. J. Rothemich, R. E. Newton.
Reception committee, Percy J. Cantwell, Carl C. Robb, Mrs. R. E.
Newton and Mrs. George Clayton. The dances on the card were
dedicated to the different officers of the Union and Auxiliary and to
friends of the committee. A deficiency of $26.20 is recorded as part of
the committee's report.
The application for an honorable withdrawal card by a member
who was in ill health, and who desired to return to his native country,
172 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
was received and allowed at the March meeting. A testimonial sub-
scription was then headed by the Union with a contribution of $25.
Carl C. Robb and John P. Dorl were elected delegates to the New
England Allied Printing Trades' convention, to be held in Providence,
June, 1907.
It was voted to send a delegate to the Hot Springs convention of
the International Union. Five candidates were nominated, two with-
drawing before the day of election. In the three-cornered contest,
Charles Carroll received a clear majority of the votes cast. The amount
allowed the delegate for expenses was $150.
At the May meeting a former member who had lost his card by
being attached to a local which had surrendered its charter, was given
the floor that he might explain the circumstances, after which he was,
by vote, admitted to good standing.
Frank J. Mahoney was elected a delegate to attend a meeting of
the Rhode Island State Branch of the American Federation of Labor,
to be held June 9.
Several sections of the new constitution were adopted at this
meeting.
The celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of Providence Typo-
graphical Union, which had been scheduled by the committee having
charge of the matter to occur during the week of the holding of the
New England Allied Printing Trades' convention, lasted three days —
June 10, 11, 12.
Monday evening, June 10, the Union tendered an informal recep-
tion to the delegates to the New England Allied Printing Trades' con-
vention. Delegates to the State Branch of the American Federation of
Labor, Providence Central Trades' and Labor Union, Providence Build-
ing Trades' Council, Providence Allied Printing Trades' Council and the
Union Label League were among the invited guests. Carl Robb, James
Moore and Robert Hunt, the committee in charge, had provided an
abundance of good things, and interesting impromptu speeches by
prominent labor men enlivened the proceedings.
Tuesday, June 11, the crowning feature of the celebration, a
banquet attended by nearly 250 printers was held in Infantry Hall.
On this occasion also the delegates to the New England Allied Printing
Trades' convention were guests of Providence Typographical Union.
Other invited guests present were Mayor P. J. McCarthy, Wilfred H.
Munro, President of the Rhode Island Historical Society and Professor
of History of Brown University ; Frederick Roy Martin, Frederick H.
Howland and Hon. D. Russell Brown, editors and publishers, respect-
ively, of the Journal and Bulletin, the Tribune and the News-Democrat ;
HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION 173
Charles T. Scott, New England organizer for the International Union ;
the President of each of the allied printing trades and of each of the
local central labor bodies, and Hon. Francis E. Kelly and A. M. Robert-
son, surviving charter members of 1857. Letters of regret, because
of their inability to attend, were received from President James M.
Lynch, Secretary-Treasurer J. W. Bramwood, Governor James H.
Higgins, the Right Rev. Matthew Harkins, Bishop of Providence;
the Right Rev. William N. McVickar, Bishop of Rhode Island; the
Rev. W. H. P. Faunce, President of Brown University; Congressman
D. L. D. Granger and Samuel Gompers.
President Percy J. Cantwell welcomed the guests and introduced
as toastmaster William Palmer. Owing to Vice-President Hays' un-
avoidable absence, the toast assigned to him, "The International
Typographical Union," was responded to by Organizer Scott. When
" Providence Typographical Union " was called for, William J. Meegan
reviewed the history of Providence Typographical Union, and read
interesting extracts from its records. Professor Munro, in an interest-
ing manner, told the story of the development of type printing from
the block printing of playing cards. Henry McMahon, of Boston,
reviewed his experiences as an organizer in Providence, and James R.
McGirr responded for the " New England Allied Trades." Speaking of
" Printing in Providence," William Carroll, after commenting on the
changes in methods which had revolutionized the business, briefly
mentioned a few of the Rhode Island printers who had become famous.
The addresses of Frederick Roy Martin, who responded for "The
Journal"; Frederick H. Rowland, for "The Providence Tribune,"
and D. Russell Brown, for "The News-Democrat," were cordial and
congratulatory. Edgar 0. Beacham had a word to say for "The
Union Shop," and Thomas J. Griffin, Jr., of the Franklin Press, gave
" A Master Printer's Opinion of the Eight-Hour Day." Mayor P. J.
McCarthy's address on "The Newspaper as a Creator of Public
Opinion " was, he said, a " carefully prepared extemporaneous speech,"
and throughout his reply to the toast, wit was his master card.
Lateness of the hour prevented the completion of the programme,
which included addresses by Daniel O'Connor, Charles Carroll, Charles
H. Lee, George H. Huston, Samuel R. Macready and Ephraim Harris.
Wednesday evening, June 12, the members of the Ladies' Auxiliary
were entertained at a complimentary hop given at the Casino, Roger
Williams' Park.
The committee having charge of the anniversary celebration com-
prised the following : Percy J. Cantwell, chairman ; Eli Alford, secre-
tary; John F. Lennon, treasurer; Charles Carroll, William Carroll,
174 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
Rudolph DeLeeuw, George W. Flynn, Robert Hunt,. Charles H. Lee,
James Moore, Charles J. Rothemich, Andrew F. Moran, Daniel O'Con-
nor, Carl C. Robb and William Simmonds.
The total cost of the celebration was $501.21.
At the meeting of the Union held June 30, after the reports of the
delegates to the New England Allied Trades' convention had been
received and upon the reading of communications wherein it appeared
that methods of soliciting advertisements for the report of the conven-
tion which were disapproved of by Providence Typographical Union
had been used by a person claiming to represent the New England
Allied Trades, it was voted to withdraw from that body.
At the same meeting a communication from J. J. Dirks, of St.
Louis, in regard to an International Typographical Union pension plan,
was laid over to some future meeting for discussion.
Boyden Heights was selected as the place for holding the July
meeting, the adjournment of the June meeting marking the close of
Providence Typographical Union's fiftieth year.
The first Constitution and By-Laws of Providence Typographical
Union, No. 33, was issued in 1857. But one copy of this book is known
to be in existence. That is in the possession of William Carroll, who
has also a copy of all subsequent revisions, except that of 1865. Alex-
ander M. Robertson possesses the only copy of the 1865 revision. Other
revisions were issued in 1870, 1873, 1885 and 1901. The 1857 book con-
tains a list of the members, and the 1865 revision has a list of the mem-
bers from 1857 to 1865.
Subordinate Unions connected with the National and International
Typographical Union, in the 60's and 70's, issued annual circulars con-
taining a list of members and those members admitted, withdrawn and
expelled during the year. The earliest of these circulars that the
Souvenir Committee has found was that of 1866. It found also copies
of the 1867, 1875 and 1877 circulars.
THE EIGHT-HOUR DAY AND THE GREAT
: * STRIKE IN PROVIDENCE
It is too early yet to write a history of the Eight-Hour Strike of
1906-7, because the first campaign in that great industrial movement is
scarcely finished ; it is too early to write a fair story of twenty months
of that strike, because the passions of the men engaged in the struggle
have not yet cooled sufficiently to render their perspective clear and
their opinions of the relative importance of things and events unbiased.
But " Printers and Printing in Providence," published in 1907, would
not be complete without at least one chapter devoted to a record of
what has been one of the most momentous events in the fifty years
of existence of Providence Typographical Union. Discriminating judg-
ment and sound sense of proportion are seldom found upon a battlefield
from which the smoke has scarcely lifted. Some time in the future,
when the Union has planned and executed its last raid upon the shop
of an unfair employer, when the last Bourbon among the master
printers has forsaken his mediaeval idea of the relation of master and
journeyman and has capitulated, when the Holy Alliance represented
by the United Typothetae has dissolved, when the Eight-Hour Day and
Union Shop are universal, when industrial warfare has passed into
oblivion and differences are settled under the sunshine of arbitration
and conciliation ; then, and then only, can an authoritative and satis-
factory story of the strike be written. In the joyous day of industrial
peace, when master printer and journeyman, grievances and cross-
purposes and mistaken ideas of separate self-interest no longer separat-
ing them, are working in perfect harmony for the betterment of the
world's most valued art, both may co-operate to record truly the then
" late unpleasantness."
No sudden fancy, no wild dream of power and mad desire to
exercise it, no blind following of ambitious but indiscreet and dema-
gogic leaders, far too often causes of industrial disturbances, precipitated
the Eight-Hour Strike of 1906-7. Fifty-five years of militant effort to
promote the welfare of its members, half a century of victories and
reverses, each teaching its own lesson and each marking a new mile-
stone on the road of progress, have chastened the great International
Typographical Union of North America, but find it still in the flower
of vigorous youth, still leading and pointing out the way for other
associations of labor men. If diplomacy has succeeded the strike as an
effective method of securing improvement of conditions in the printing
176 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
trades, and if, as war in diplomacy, strike is the last word used in nego-
tiations between the Union and employers, that is an indication, not of
degeneracy or failing strength, but of conservatism, of calm conscious-
ness of power held in reserve, with full realization of the waste and
suffering that inevitably attend industrial warfare and a determination
to avoid them, if possible. The great strike of 1906-7 in the book and
job departments might have been averted if the master printers, repre-
sented by their most powerful association, the United Typothetae of
America, had delved more deeply into works on international law
instead of wasting their time, their energy and their money on " flying
squadrons" and other military tactics. Drunk as with new wine,
deceived by a sense of the untried strength of their new organization,
encouraged by promises of assistance and subsidies from the Citizens'
Alliance and the Manufacturers' Association, led on by unscrupulous
leaders who concealed beneath a pretext of merely resisting the en-
croachments of the Union a desire to destroy it, the master printers
gathered their hosts and went forth to battle with ears deaf to pleas
for calm consideration and arbitration.
The Eight-Hour Day was no new slogan ; for years the Interna-
tional Typographical Union had endeavored to establish it by contract
with employers. Success had crowned the Union's effort in the news-
paper field. The production of a printed record must follow, as it
cannot precede, the event. The man of the world demands news-
papers containing only the latest and freshest and crispest news; all
else he regards as stale and scorns. It is inevitable, therefore, that, as
it attempts to cover events of the period nearest its hour of publication,
the modern newspaper shall be produced in the shortest period of time
possible. Thus expediency goes hand in hand with the shorter work-
day in the newspaper office. Typesetting machines and other improve-
ments have merely made possible the satisfaction of an actual demand for
speed. To the credit of the newspaper publisher be it said that, in most
instances, he has ungrudgingly, by paying better wages and requiring
shorter hours, shared with his employes the increased profits accruing
from improvements. Wise in his day and generation, he has avoided
friction, and where requests for changes were fair has granted them.
He has realized the benefits of industrial peace and has secured it by
an agreement which now binds the Newspaper Publishers' Association,
the largest employer of labor in the world, and the International
Typographical Union, the oldest and strongest Union, to arbitrate
all differences.
The Union never has seriously combatted the master printer's
argument that improvement in the book and job departments of
THE EIGHT-HOUR DAY 177
the trade has not been so rapid as in the newspaper department; on
the other hand, the Union has recognized a difference in conditions by
conceding to book and job master printers a lower scale of wages than
to newspaper publishers, the publishers of Providence paying $5 per
week more per man than book and job proprietors. The principle
involved being recognized by both sides, and the possible difference
of opinion being actually the proper monetary measure of the differ-
ence in conditions, the granting of the Eight-Hour Day, from this point
of view, involved merely the negotiation of a new scale if the prevail-
ing scale were not satisfactory to both parties. The master printers of
Providence in a letter to Providence Typographical Union in November,
1905, declined to consider any proposition for a reduction of hours of
labor which did not include a corresponding reduction of wages. It is
unfortunate, perhaps, that Providence Typographical Union did not see
its way clear to go into conference on that basis, but prevailing opinion
was then, and is yet, that the book and job scale in Providence, at $16
per week, is too low. Besides, at that time the question of the Union
Shop had entered into the controversy.
Sudden demands for increased wages or for shorter hours are unjust
to an employer ; master printers, for instance, who had made long-term
contracts on the basis of prevailing wages and hours, could not fulfill
them on an Eight-Hour basis without pecuniary loss. Realizing the
situation, and with a view to giving master printers ample time to
prepare for the change, as well as with a view to recruiting its strength
for enforcing its demands if they were not granted, the International
Typographical Union gave at least eighteen months notice that it
would on January 1, 1906, demand the Eight-Hour Day for all its mem-
bers not working then under contracts for longer hours. The conven-
tion of 1904 voted to levy an assessment of one-half of one per cent, upon
the wages of the membership as a defence fund, and the membership
by referendum vote ratified the assessment and the date for inaugu-
rating the Eight-Hour Day. International officers were empowered to
open negotiations with the United Typothetae of America, and local
Unions where contracts expired prior to the date named were . in-
structed to make new contracts only on an Eight-Hour basis after
January 1, 1906.
From the first the Typothetae were defiant. All overtures looking
toward negotiations for establishing the Eight-Hour Day were rejected.
The United Typothetae declared itself inalterably opposed to any re-
duction of hours from 54 per week, and announced that it would
oppose any attempt to establish a shorter work-day. At the Toronto
convention of 1905 representatives of the Typothetae present reasserted
178 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
their intention to resist, and advised the International Typographical
Union to recant. The Toronto convention ratified the proposition to
enforce the Eight-Hour Day, January 1, 1906, but gave the Executive
Council power and authority to negotiate an Eight-Hour agreement with
the master printers. Clothed with this authority, President James M.
Lynch and Vice-President John W. Hays visited Niagara Falls, where the
Typothetae met in 1905, and submitted a proposition that representa-
tives of the Typothetae and the International Typographical Union
should in conference consider an agreement looking to the " ultimate
establishment of the Eight-Hour Day." Their proposition was dis-
missed with scant courtesy, and negotiations ceased.
We have already answered two reasons assigned by master printers
for not conceding the shorter work-day, namely the differences exist-
ing between conditions in newspaper offices and those in the book
and job trade; and, secondly, the injustice of a change as affecting
contracts. The second, if ever genuine, ceased to exist when the
United Typothetae in convention rejected a proposition looking to the
" ultimate establishment of the Eight-Hour Day." If time were needed,
here certainly was the Typothetae's opportunity. Two other reasons
which master printers might assign for refusing to concede shorter
hours, as they involve economic principles affecting labor and capital,
deserve attention. First of these is the doctrine that shorter hours,
enforcing idleness of machinery, diminish the productiveness of capital.
Concretely, the master printer's position may be explained by taking,
for example, a printing press. Pointing to this press, the master
says: "By enforcing the shorter work-day you rob me of 1000 im-
pressions from that press to-day, 6000 impressions this week, 313,000
this year, and every year until the press is worn out." Estimating the
life of a press at a certain number of years, this master printer can tell
you just what the Eight-Hour Day would cost him. He regards the
press as a certain amount of fixed capital ; he may tell you that he paid
for it out of the profits earned from its product for the first six months
he owned it. He does not know that each impression printed on the
press helps to pay for it, and that unless he maintains a fund for repairs
and maintenance and replacement, his "fixed capital" is gradually
wasting away. His error consists in measuring the life of his press in
years, disregarding the plain fact that, even allowing for a deterioration
of machinery when standing idle, the principal cause of wear and tear
of machinery is use. A press run six hours per day will wear approxi-
mately twice as long as a press run twelve hours per day. At the end
of the first year under eight hours the master printer has a press
capable of delivering 313,000 impressions more than the same press
THE EIGHT-HOUR DAY 179
could deliver if it had been operated nine hours per day. The master
printer who grants the shorter work-day diminishes not the product-
iveness of his capital, but merely the speed at which profits may be
earned by his capital. He has in the specific instance postponed receipt
of the profit on 313,000 impressions from his press. We have now
reduced the first reason to simply a phase of the second reason advanced
by the master printer, which is his " absolute right " to use his own as
he sees fit, to run his presses as many hours a day as he pleases, to turn
over his capital as many times a year as he can, to produce profits as
fast as he wishes, and as a correlary to use his employes as many hours
a day as he can get them to work. Free and independent, he denies
the right of any man or any body of men to say that he shall not do
all these things.
Doctrines of political economy first concretely illuminated and
explained by John Stuart Mill, brutal and inhuman as they are, still
dominate the social and economic structure of the present day, and are
especially dear to the capitalist. He views men and things alike as
instruments which he may manipulate for his own profit. Things he
may own absolutely ; men he would own if he could. Solely through
Unions have men avoided a wage slavery as dejected and low as serf-
dom. The doctrine that the best interests of the State demand that no
curb or limitation shall be placed upon individual ambition, or effort, or
rapacity, or upon the amount of the world's wealth which an individual
may acquire and hold, fundamental in a system of political economy
which preaches the production of wealth as the principal aim of men
and nations, is still an unmoved foundation-stone in twentieth century
economics. Men who criticise conditions and propose as remedies for
admitted evils of the present day changes in the industrial system, are
branded as anarchists and socialists, and such they are truly as seen
through the eyes of the capitalist. One may believe that no better
system than the present has yet been devised, but if the existence of
evils is admitted, and it is also known that those grow out of the
present system, shall he despise the man who is truly trying to alleviate
them ? Imperfect it may be, contrary to principles of political economy,
not entirely satisfactory, subject to abuses, but the Union has been
found to be and still is the only effective method of placing the indi-
vidual workingman on a plane where he may deal with his capitalistic
employer on anything approaching a nearly even basis.
The journeymen printers of America, members of the International
Typographical Union of North America, 50,000 of the most competent
and ambitious and enlightened and best-educated workingmen in the
United States and Canada, do not contest the legal or the economic
180 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
right of any master printer to conduct his printing establishment as he
sees fit, to work it as many hours a day as he pleases, to reap all the
profit he can from it ; they do not deny the right of any man to work
such hours as he pleases, but they have determined that they will not
work for any man more than eight hours per day, and consequently
they are selling to employers who choose to do business with them on
these conditions eight hours per day, and they are doing with the
remaining sixteen hours what they please. They regard the relation-
ship of master and journeyman as purely contractual and as interested
parties to every contract they demand a proviso for eight hours and no
more. Themselves free and independent, they claim an absolute right
to determine how many hours per day they shall work, and they deny
the right of anybody to say that they shall work more than eight
hours.
Conceding that the principle underlying the Trades Union move-
ment may be contrary to the economic doctrines of Mill, we pass over
as debatable matters requiring for their demonstration an array of
figures, facts and argument too long for publication here, reasons for
the Eight-Hour Day based upon the prosperity of the country and the
right of the journeyman printer to demand as one portion of his share
of that prosperity a shorter work-day. One other reason, paramount
to all others and not generally appreciated or even understood, alone is
sufficient. Printing ordinarily is not classed as a hazardous occupation
because violent deaths in the trade are not numerous ; and yet nearly
one-third of deaths among printers are caused by diseases of the
respiratory organs and another large percentage by diseases of the
kidneys and bladder. Printing offices, even the cleanest and brightest
and most wholesome in the world, are unhealthy. The percentage of
apprentice boys forced to leave the business with a trade half learned,
of young men forced out on account of their health, is enormous.
Lead dust and oxides of lead carried in the air, shaken from type cases
and tables in use, lifted from the floor while walking, falling into
open receptacles for drinking water or into drinking water cups, taken
into the mouth with drinking water or from the fingers while eating
lunch, breathed into the lungs, absorbed through the pores of the skin,
afflict most printers with plumbaic poisoning and gradually weaken the
heart, clog up the pulmonary system, demoralize the stomach and
kidneys, and leave the printer scarcely able to withstand the attacks
and ravages of disease germs. The only remedy is a work-day so short
that the printer may find outside the shop sufficient time for recreation
by daylight in which to recuperate his strength.
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THE EIGHT-HOUR DAY 181
One other issue was involved in the strike of 1906-7, and that is
the Union Shop, or the " closed shop" as the Post and Parryites choose
to call it. So far as the International Typographical Union is con-
cerned, the Union Shop means that in composing rooms under its juris-
diction no persons other than members of that Union or apprentices to
the number allowed by the Union shall be employed. On this restric-
tion is based the cry of " labor trust," shutting out the " independent "
printer so dear to the heart of the master printer. But why demand
or enforce it ? The Union Shop has been well styled the Union printer's
insurance; it is designed to protect him against the "independent"
printer. It protects him against the unfair competition of the printer
who, by working under the Union's scale of prices, would lower the
standard of living won for printers by the Union; it protects him
against the underhanded employer who would undermine that same
standard by first replacing Union by non-union men and then dealing
with his employes not protected by the Union as individuals, offering
them contracts for low wages and long hours ; it protects him against
discharge for whim or fancy when his competency and good workman-
ship have won him a steady position. But why, says the master
printer, shall I not buy labor in the cheapest market, and why may I
not hire whom I please and discharge whom I please; am I not a
master? The International Typographical Union concedes to any
employer the right to buy his labor in any market he pleases ; but if he
finds, as he inevitably will, that competent labor in supply to suit his de-
mand is found only within the Union, then he must deal with the Union ;
and in dealing with the Union and with Union men he must surrender his
position as master and become merely a contractor. The International
Typographical Union offers to any master printer who desires to deal
with it his choice of any one or more of its 50,000 competent members ;
from these he may hire whom he pleases ; but it insists that when he
has hired one of its members he shall pay him at least the scale of
wages determined by his local Union, work him not more than Eight
Hours per day under fair conditions, and that he shall not discharge
the man so hired except for incompetency, to reduce his force of work-
men when business is slack, or for violation of shop rules, which must
be displayed conspicuously. The Union does not demand high wages
for incompetents ; so far as these are concerned the right to discharge
is absolute.
The question is often asked, " What provision does the Union Shop
make for the printer not a member of the Union ? " None whatever.
The International Typographical Union does not concern itself particu-
larly with the welfare of the printer outside its ranks. For fifty years
182 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
it has fought the battle for him as well as for its members ; for fifty
years he has profited by every improvement in conditions won by the
Union ; and yet for fifty years he has fought the great organization
which has accomplished so much good for him ; he has filled the places
left vacant by men who stopped work because they found conditions
intolerable ; he has acted as a strike breaker ; he has underbid for the
place held by the Union man. This is the type of man dear to the
hearts of the United Typothetae — the man whose independence they
would protect. Even at this hour, the hour of triumph and victory,
the International Typographical Union extends the hand of fellowship
to him and bids him come into the fold, that therein he may learn that
individual liberty is best preserved by united effort.
With these issues, the Eight-Hour Day and the Union Shop, clearly
defined, the battle for their establishment or destruction opened in
earnest shortly after the United Typothetae had rejected the Union's
last proposition. Desiring to precipitate the struggle before the
Union's preparations were complete, as well as to discourage the Union
by giving it an advance sample of what might be expected, the United
Typothetae locked out members of the Union in several cities in
October, 1905. On January 1, 1906, members of the Union employed
in establishments which had not granted the Eight-Hour Day and
which were not covered by contracts for nine hours extending beyond
that date, dropped rules and sticks, folded up their aprons and walked
out. Thus was opened one of the most remarkable strikes in the
world's history; remarkable for the stubbornness and endurance of
the combatants, for the loyalty of striking members of the Union, for
the method in which the International Typographical Union financed
its strike, meeting the unlimited resources of the master printers and
their allies with money contributed by its loyal working members
ungrudgingly. Over four million dollars have been collected and spent
by the International Typographical Union in its fight for the Eight-
Hour Day, and the battle has been won.
Few members of Providence Typographical Union will ever forget
the meeting of the Union held December 31, 1905. The largest attend-
ance in years was present ; and when every chair had been filled, late
arrivals lined the walls of the hall. The Union was on the eve of a
great battle for a principle which had been agitated for forty years or
more. In 1865 delegates had been elected to a trades assembly, which
organized an Eight-Hour League. The reports of these delegates, P.
A. McDonald and Daniel Sherman, and a letter written by John A.
Lonsdale, then a young and active member of the Union, show that
the league flourished for a time, though otherwise its career is lost to
THE EIGHT-HOUR DAY 183
history. When routine business had been disposed of in a methodical
manner and final instructions from International headquarters had been
read, the motion to strike on the morrow was carried almost unani-
mously, the result of the vote being received with vigorous applause.
Forty of forty-seven members of the Union working in shops which had
refused to grant the Eight-Hour Day obeyed the strike order, and three
men not members and five apprentices joined the strikers on the first
day. The strikers organized immediately with Edward Leslie Pike as
chairman, Charles R. Christie as secretary, and Maurice E. Hughes as
treasurer. When the gravity of the situation was fully realized,
President Daniel O'Connor took charge of the strike, succeeding Brother
Pike as chairman. A hall for meetings of the strikers was secured,
committees were appointed and siege was laid to the struck shops,
pickets being placed with instructions to attempt by peaceable persua-
sion to induce the men who had remained at work to join the Union,
and to head off strike-breakers who might be brought to Providence
from other cities. Ten shops, among them the largest in the city, were
affected on the first day ; subsequently five others were added to the
unfair list as the strike extended and men not previously members of
the Union enlisted in the movement for shorter hours. Eleven proprie-
tors granted the Eight-Hour Day, and four others have since been
added to the fair list, one after a three-months strike early in 1907.
Most of the Union shops were small establishments when the strike
started ; all have grown and flourished as the demand for the label has
been created and nourished by the efforts of the strikers ; so that at
the present time, September, 1907, the number of members of the
Union working eight hours per day in job shops is just double what it
was January 1, 1906.
Within a few days after its inauguration the strike settled down to
a monotonous routine of daily meetings, picketing, persuading strike-
breakers, distributing Union literature and booming the Union label.
Important incidents of the first month were an unsuccessful attempt of
the master printers to coerce the striking apprentices to return to wdrk
by threats of lawsuits, and an unsuccessful attempt to introduce into
the struck shops boys from the Reform School at Sockanosset. Percy
J. Cantwell succeeded Daniel O'Connor as chairman of the strikers early
in March, and when Charles R. Christie found employment the offices
of secretary and treasurer were combined, Treasurer M. E. Hughes
holding both. Organizer Charles T. Scott being seriously ill at this
time, Providence and all New England was deprived of the benefit of
his energetic services. Vice-President John W. Hays of the Interna-
tional Union visited the city in March, canvassed the local situation
184 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
thoroughly, reported to headquarters that the strike in Providence
was being handled in a satisfactory manner and recommended that the
International Typographical Union render to Providence Typographical
Union further financial assistance. In accordance with his recom-
mendation, the proceeds of the ten per cent, assessment then being
collected were retained and spent in Providence for strike purposes,
the International Typographical Union paying the benefits provided
for by the international constitution in addition. Mr. Hays also ad-
dressed a meeting called for the purpose of presenting to the public
the strikers' side of the Eight-Hour question. An attempt to open up
negotiations with the master printers failed, their answer to the Union's
overtures being that they had nothing to arbitrate and did not desire a
conference. Throughout this period the Union pickets were successful
in turning away many strike-breakers, the struck shops never being
allowed to increase their forces beyond the number of men at work
January 1, 1906.
Chairman Cantwell resigned in April to assume charge of the
Whitney Press and Charles H. Lee was appointed chairman to succeed
him. Missionary efforts among strike-breakers and men still in the
shops proved very successful; several of the best men remaining at
work joined the strikers. Thoroughly aroused, the master printers
determined to make an effort to break the strike by importing enough
men to fill all places. A representative was sent through northern
New Hampshire and Vermont to enlist the services of country printers
ignorant of the real situation. He was followed by a representative of
the Union, who gave close pursuit and undid the work of the Typo-
theta? agent by explaining to the countrymen the real purpose for
which they were being hired. In Canada advertisements for printers
were inserted in newspapers. On the date set for the arrival of the
army of strike-breakers, the representative of the master printers was
followed to Boston by three representatives of the Union, who con-
fronted him as he stood dumbfounded in the north terminal station,
surprised and disappointed at the non-arrival of his cohorts. Explana-
tions were exchanged, and an acquaintanceship was established which
in a few weeks bore fruit, for the Typothetae agent and the woman
who alone of all those whom he had visited came to Providence, both
joined the Union. This expedition cost the master printers of Provi-
dence nearly $1000. Thereafter strike-breakers came to town individ-
ually or in pairs, sent forward by agents in New York or Boston.
Many were not printers at all, but sought to extort money from
masters and Union alike; a few succeeded, but a great many were
turned away in short order. The Union continued its successes in
winning over the real printers.
THE EIGHT-HOUR DAY 185
July 4, 1906, the Morning Tribune made its first bow to an expect-
ant public. This new publication offered many situations, which were
filled by strikers, and the Daily Journal, which increased its working
force in order to meet the rivalry of the Tribune, took a few more off
the list. The burden which the Union had been carrying was relieved,
but the esprit de corps of the strikers was weakened, many active
workers in the cause being thus drawn into another field. The strikers
have been cheerful and contented throughout the struggle. In the sum-
mer of 1906 a base ball team was organized and had a very successful sea-
son. An outing at Emery Park was also thoroughly enjoyed. In Octo-
ber, 1906, the master printers again refused to enter a conference. There
has been little out of the ordinary in recent months. The strike has
been quietly conducted, without violence or a police record. The efforts
of the strike committee have been devoted to finding positions for men
carried on the relief roll, to missionary work among printers not mem-
bers of the Union and to booming the Union label. The energy put
into the label campaign has borne direct fruit in a large volume of
business diverted from struck shops into Union offices. A few members
realized at the start of the strike that while a strike might prove suc-
cessful temporarily, permanent success must depend upon an actual
demand for the products of Union labor, evidenced by calls for the
label on printed matter. Prominent in this work was John S. Houle.
Almost alone he secured hundreds of signatures to agreements to insist
upon use of the label, and he published two editions of the Union
Man's Reference Guide, a classified list of merchants and business men
who had signed agreements. When Mr. Houle left Providence to seek
work in New York, the Guide was abandoned, the Bulletin of the Union
Label League taking up the work in a broader manner. The label
committee has distributed thousands of stickers for use on printed
matter issued without the label. These have been placed in the hands
of friends of the movement, and their general and effective use has
been demonstrated by many calls for explanations, which when given
have won over many an advertiser. In several instances thousands of
circulars or advertising cards have been destroyed and new ones with
the label ordered. Nearly 20,000 blotters, showing the Union Printers'
Home and requesting support for it through use of the label, have been
placed on the desks of business men. Cards and folders attractively
gotten up have been distributed, and the label has been advertised in
various Union publications. An increase in the amount of advertising
matter with the label now in circulation testifies to results. Three
theatre programmes now bear the label, and the official score card of
the Providence Base Ball Club is fair this year. In 1906 the privilege
186 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
of selling score cards was sold to a notorious foe of Union labor, and
efforts to persuade him to use the label failed. Finally the Union
entered the field and published a score card of its own, which drove the
"official" card out of the market. One other signal success crowns
the efforts of the label committee. Providence Lodge of Elks, said to
be the first organization of the B. P. 0. E. to take the step, has ordered
the label on all printed matter handled or issued by its committees.
Vice-President John W. Hays, who made a flying trip to Providence at
the request of the Union, deserves the greatest share of credit for this
accomplishment.
Of 48 original strikers 12 still remain on the strike roll. From a
maximum of 80, the relief roll, which contains the names of over 100
men and women, has been reduced to 28. Beginning with the first
week of the strike, $5 per week was paid to single and $7 per week to
married men. In February an extra benefit of $2 per week for
single and $3 per week for married men was authorized. In addition
special assistance was rendered in cases where the needs of the strikers
were apparent, a relief committee taking care that nobody suffered
actual want. Up to September 7, 1907, $36,061.12 had been paid to
strikers as benefits or special assistance. Total strike expenses had been
$41,877.40, the remaining $5816.18 having been expended as follows:
For transportation of men leaving town, including bonuses paid strike-
breakers induced to go away, $1307.36 ; for picket expenses of all kinds,
including money paid directly to strike pickets for special service and
the expenses of men sent out of town on special picket duty or to inter-
cept strike-breakers, $965.37; for rent of headquarters, including all
rooms used for strike purposes, $482.75; for printing and postage,
including all sums applied directly to booming the label, $884.93 ; for
salaries of strike officials, $1404.90 ; for miscellaneous expenses, $770.87.
Strike expenses have been gradually reduced from a maximum at some
periods of $700 per week to less than $200. It is pleasing to note that
all the strike money has been collected and spent without a breath of
scandal or suspicion of graft or dishonesty. The strike committee and
financial officers have at all times enjoyed the utmost respect and the
complete confidence of the members of the Union. Reports have been
carefully audited, and the record books are complete and in splendid
condition. Determined efforts have been made to conduct the strike
economically and to keep the benefit rolls free from the names of men
which ought not to be there.
In other jurisdictions the fight for the Eight-Hour Day and Union
Shop has been more successful than in Providence. Four hundred
Unions have the Eight-Hour Day, and an army of 10,000 strikers has
THE EIGHT-HOUR DAY 187
been reduced to less than 1000. The gradual reduction in the amount
of the assessment collected for strike purposes is good evidence of
progress. The one-half of one per cent, assessment levied under author-
ity of the referendum of 1904 was succeeded in October, 1905, by a
50-cent per week per capita assessment. January 1, 1906, the assess-
ment, by authority of another referendum, was made 10 per cent, of
earnings. This assessment was reduced to 7 per cent, in October, 1906 ;
to 5 per cent, in December, 1906 ; to 3 per cent, in February, 1907, and
to 2 per cent, in March, 1907. The proceeds of the various assessments
colletced in Providence have been :
One-half of one per cent, assessment $633 96
Fifty-cent assessment. 668 00
Fifty-cent assessment, paid for members out of work 36 50
Ten per cent, assessment 12,162 67
Seven per cent, assessment 1,541 56
Five per cent, assessment 1,888 50
Three per cent, assessment 399 82
Two per cent, assessment (to Sept. 1, 1907) 1,755 19
Total $19,086 20
In addition members of the Union have paid two local assessments,
one of 50 cents per week during December, 1905, and the other of 3
per cent, of earnings during October, 1906. These assessments netted :
50-cent assessment, $329 ; 3 per cent, assessment, $317.37 ; a total of
$646.37.
September 1, 1907, find the Eight-Hour Day won. The Interna-
tional Typographical Union at its convention in August, 1907, dis-
charged its Eight-Hour Committee and turned over to the Executive
Council the task of winding up the strike. It is proposed to transfer
strikers still unemployed to centres where the demand for labor now
exceeds the supply, to encourage strikers to learn to operate type-
setting machines and to render assistance to men to whom the Union
still owes a duty because of the sacrifices which they have made for
the benefit of their fellow men. In cities like Providence, where the
fight is still on, there is to be no diminution of activity, the methods to
be pursued for the present being continued missionary work among
non-union men and agitation for the use of the label, the local label
campaign to be supplemented by an international label campaign.
A magnificent victory has been won. The close of the first cam-
paign finds the United Typothetae in full retreat, demoralized and dis-
organized. Only 30 delegates attended its September, 1907, meeting at
Niagara Falls, " a disconsolate, disgusted and utterly routed relic of a
once great organization." The International Typographical Union
188 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
stands triumphant; it has demonstrated that Citizens' Alliance and
Manufacturers' Association cannot crush united labor. Standing in
the present, gazing through a rift in the mist-like veil which conceals
the future, with a full knowledge of the past to clarify our vision, we
behold printed in letters of light across the heavens this glorious
sentiment :
"ICtbrrtu, an& Union, ant an& inarparablr, nnut ant» fnrmrr."
And the man who printed it there did not forget to place under it the
label of the grand old International Typographical Union of North
America.
AnioineMeillieure,
" TYenc Ky "
EdwarclT. AngelL
"Unole Meet"
THE BOOK AND JOB SECTION
In the first seventy years of printing in Providence the wooden
frame and stone bed of the hand-press were changed to iron. The
composition roller superseded the ink ball. These were the important
improvements in the materials for carrying on the business. Book and
job work was probably more profitable than publishing a newspaper.
The latter occupation called for a certain expenditure, regardless of
receipts, while activity in the former was regulated by actual business
demands. After the first makes of the Adams' and Ruggles' presses
were introduced, the possibility of profits from the business became
more certain and the one-man plants began to give way to larger print-
ing offices. The sketches following cover the period of evolution.
Albert N. Angell worked continuously at printing for more than
60 years, beginning his apprenticeship April 3, 1839, in the job printing
office of Knowles & Vose. His wages for the first year were $30 and
board, for the second year $40, the third year $50, and the fourth and
last year $100. On the anniversary of his golden wedding, July 16,
1899, he told some of his experiences :
" He went to board with Mr. Vose, but, unlike apprentices in country offices at that
time, he was not obliged to take care of a horse and cow or run on errands for his
master's family.
"He learned about 'strap oil,' and 'type lice,' and 'round squares,' and how to
' jeff. ' He washed rollers and built fires, and rolled for the hand-press, and boiled the
glue and molasses to make rollers, and picked up type under the printers' cases, when
he swept out, and swept up pi, and made his share of it. Incidentally he learned a little
about typesetting. After doing the general work just described for several months,
young Angell asked to be put on the case, and he was sent to the newspaper composing
room on Market square. Here he soon became proficient at the case, and he did news-
paper work most of the time during the rest of his apprenticeship. After he had finished
his trade he worked by the piece as a journeyman printer. During his apprenticeship,
after working his allotted ten hours, he often had an opportunity to work overtime, for
which he was paid the regular price — 20 cents per 1000 ems. In this way he earned con-
siderable money, and had saved enough soon after he became a journeyman to purchase
an eighth interest in the job office.
" The gas works had not begun business in 1839, and the printers, when working
nights, used the old-fashioned ' petticoat ' oil lamps. Each printer had two — one each in
his ' c ' and ' s ' boxes — but the light afforded was so poor that it was difficult to set more
than 500 ems an hour by them. There were no sewers at that time, and the apprentices
took the dirty water from the office sinks in pails, which they emptied in the middle of
the street.
" After Mr. Vose's death in 1847, his partner in the job printing business, Joseph
Knowles, soon divided the property into eight shares, and, retaining one share, sold the
other seven. Among the purchasers were Senator Anthony, Charles J. Wheeler, John W.
Angell, John S. Sibley, Samuel M. Millard, Josiah Jones and John S. Hammond. Some of
the partners soon disposed of their shares and E. L. Freeman and James A. Reid were
among the purchasers of them.
" Mr. Angell bought the two shares of Mr. Millard, and afterwards purchased, one by
one, the shares of the others, until, in 1868, he was sole proprietor. Meantime he retained
his ' frame ' in the Journal composing room, and when he finally retired he had done
continuous work upon the paper 29 years.
190 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
" Under Mr. Angell's management the job office did the State printing one year and
the city printing for 13 consecutive years. It did a large general business, at one time
eight papers, whose publishers could not afford to own their plants, were issued from the
office. The printing of the courts was done there to a large extent. He disposed of the
business in 1887."
The condition of the job printing business in Providence about
1840 is described by B. W. Pearce, who came to the city from Fall
River in 1837 to finish learning his trade. In a talk before the South-
ern Rhode Island Press Club, September 2, 1895, he told of his impres-
sions of that period ;
" In August, 1837, I entered with Knowles & Vose, to ' finish my trade ' at $3 a week.
That firm then had the contract for printing for the Rhode Island school fund lottery,
and employed eight or ten hands in the work. Finding that I was handy at press work,
doing my token and a half an hour, they decided to teach me that branch of the business,
and kept me steady at it for six months, during which time I did not set a line of type
or do anything else but swing the old hand-press. In an interview with Mr. Vose he told
me the firm had no intention of teaching me any other part of the business, and I there-
upon resigned my situation.
" The office of Knowles & Vose was then the leading one in the town. It was
located in the southeast corner of the Granite building, on Market square and North
Main street, of which it occupied a portion of three stories. Aside from the work for
the lottery its business was small. Mr. Knowles did about all the job printing that came
in, and he did not half work at that. He occupied a room about 16x20, in which were
some fonts of type, a stone and a hand-press. It was the first office in Rhode Island to
introduce bronze printing the method of doing which was for a long time a secret with
that firm.
" The other job printing offices in the city were run by Barzillia Cranston, in the
Granite building ; H. H. Brown, in an attic on the corner of South Main street and Market
square ; the Republican Herald, 15 Market square, and B. T. Albro, on the corner of North
Main and Meeting streets. Neither Mr. Brown nor Mr. Albro had facilities for printing
anything more elaborate than an auction bill or a pamphlet. All the work, even to a
single line visiting card, was done on hand presses.
" About 1842 Knowles & Vose got the exclusive right for Rhode Island for ten years
to use one of the new Ruggles' job presses, paying $1000 for the privilege. This press
would print 800 to 1000 impressions an hour, while 200 to 250 was the usual rate of the
hand-press. This monopoly was maintained for nine years, when Ruggles could stand it
no longer, paid back the $1000 and left the press with the firm.
" Benjamin F. Moore, an accomplished printer, about 1841, got together an establish-
ment of entirely new material, embracing all the lastest styles of type, and opened an
office on Westminster street, below the Arcade on the opposite side. He turned out some
very handsome jobs, employing three or four hands."
The What Cheer Printing office traces its origin to the business
established in 1856 by Pierce & Berry (Robert A. Pierce and William H.
Berry), at 36 Westminster street, in the second story of the building
known as the Barton Block. Pierce & Budlong (Martin H. Budlong)
succeeded them in 1860, and carried on the business at the same loca-
tion until 1870, when Martin S. Budlong became agent, serving until
1875. While under his management the office was removed to the
Penholder Building, corner Dorrance and Friendship streets. Lester E.
Ross was the proprietor from 1875 to 1877. Porthouse & Carleton
purchased the office in March, 1877, removing it to No. 125 Broad
street. It continued under this management until 1880, when 0. A.
Carleton & Co. became proprietors. The entire second floor of the
THE BOOK AND JOB SECTION
191
Amasa Mason Block, No. 129 and 131 Eddy street, opposite the Narra-
gansett Hotel, was then leased and fitted up expressly for the new
establishment, which became the principal office for poster work in the
city, although the business was not confined to that particular branch.
The office again removed in 1892 to the building corner Pine and Eddy
streets. Since the office was first established it has absorbed several
smaller plants, among them, in 1864, William Maxfield's outfit ; in 1872,
the "Weekly Review"; in 1873, the "The Voice of the Truth"; in
1875, "The Sun"; in 1877, Porthouse & Carleton's job printing office;
in 1880, Sweet & Porthouse's show printing office, and also W. N. Sher-
man's job printing office in East Greenwich.
James A. Reid, long a master
printer of Providence, tells of the
office of A. Crawford Greene, where
he finished his apprenticeship,
when he came from Bristol in 1862 :
"The office was at that time located
on Canal street, near Meeting, in a brick
building partially occupied by the Gorham
Manufacturing Company. It had in its
equipment several of the famous old Adams'
book presses, a number of jobbers, a little
quarter-sheet, and a great big hand-press,
which would take a sheet of 29x42 dimen-
sions. There was a standing press of large
size to do the dry pressing of the book work,
a good assortment of wood type for posters
and handbills, plenty of body type for book
work, and a generous variety of display
type for job work and the advertisements
on the weekly papers of which the office
made a specialty.
"Of 'pi' there seemed to be no end
at any time, and in discontinuing about
this time The Daily Transcript, the impos-
ing stones were almost covered with these
evidences of its demise. My induction into
the office was in the capacity of pi-dis-
tributor and devil-in-general. Having an
ambitious tendency and a fair capacity for
picking up the points of the trade, I was
A. CRAWFORD GREENE
soon put to ' sticking ' type, and brought into personal contact with Colonel Greene, who
' was all over the office,' showing the diversity of his trade knowledge and the versa-
tility of his talent.
" He had established the office in 1845, when he was 21 years old. When I joined
the force in 1862, there were a number of pretty good men and women there, who have
been more or less conspicuous in the typographical life of Providence. Among them
were Major William Macpherson, Colonel James Moran, 'Mike' Mullaly (the foreman),
George J. West, Alexander and Frederick Niger and Charles Burrill (three colored com-
positors), Daniel and Joseph Farnham, occasionally 'Jim' Williamson, Henry Murray,
' Steve ' Tillinghast, Alfred M. Pease and ' Pat ' Fanning. Oscar A. Carleton had charge
in the counting room.
" Colonel Greene would tackle anything which came along— a three-sheet poster,
the State printing, 20,000 or 100,000 circulars, a whole newspaper, or a visiting card of
the daintiest style then in vogue— quite a school for a young printer, and, with all its
faults, a good office.
192
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
" The establishment was removed to Railroad Hall, over the old station, in 1865. It
was roomy, overlooked the old ' cove/ and made a fine home for the rejuvenated print
shop."
Alexander M. Robertson describes the composing of the Adjutant
General's Report of 1865 in the book room of the Providence Press Co. :
" It was in the spring of 1866, during the latter part of the administration of James
Y. Smith, and General Burnside's administration was to follow. It was a race against
time,, to complete the work during the Smith administration, so that it would have the
credit for the important work, and Henri Crandall, the Adjutant General, from whose
office it was issued, had an ambition to be its distributor. The main body of the work
fills 832 pp.; introductory pp., 42; total, 874 pp.
It consists of sketches of each regiment fol-
lowed by the name of each officer and member
and his military record in tabular form. The
sketches are set in small pica size type and the
tables, four columns, in brevier. In the first
100 pages of the body of the work there are
86 pp. of tabular matter to 14 pp. of sketch
matter, and this was about the proportion
throughout. It may be inferred that the whole
book was no fool of a job to hurry out in a
Providence printing office 40 years ago.
During the latter part of the time, when we
had got into full swing, six or seven men
worked on it about 14 hours a day. The col-
umns of tables were set with temporary leads
or rules between by the compositor, and I had
the full make-up to attend to, breaking the
matter into pages and putting in the right-
sized rules, and imposing and getting ready
for the press, and giving out the copy. Two
editions were printed, a small paper edition on
white paper, printed eight pages and turned;
and a larger page on tinted paper. Both of
these were from the same size type-page— the
size of paper only varied. Halving the eight
pages and printing and then backing with the
other four."
James A. Reid became a partner
in the printing firm of Hammond,
Angell & Co. in 1868. He tells of his
impressions of the office at that
time:
"For many years 5 Washington Row was a noted place. It was the brick and
stone block running along the western side of the river between Exchange place and
Westminster street. Up the stairway at this entrance, many of the loyal adherents of
the Providence Journal and Bulletin flocked morning and evening to get their papers
from this famous counting-room. On the opposite side of the hallway, Doyle & Joslin,
with Thomas A. Doyle at the fore, held forth as auctioneers, real estate dealers, and
mayors of Providence. Upstairs, over the newspaper offices, was the home of the jobbing
annex of Knowles & Anthony, out of which was born the firm of Hammond, Angell & to.
In 1868 the shareholders were John N. Hammond, Albert N. Angell, Charles J. Wheeler,
Joseph Knowles, Jeremiah N. Thomas, William H. Chenery and James A. Reid. In pre-
vious years Edward L. Freeman and Alden S. Sibley, both now deceased, had been
members.
" As a connection of the Journal, the office had had a very successful career and had
received the patronage of many of the leading concerns of the State and city. It made
lottery tickets when they could be made, labels for the American Screw Co., cloth tickets
JAMES A. REID
THE BOOK AND JOB SECTION 193
for nearly every mill in 'Little Rhody,' manufacturers' labels by the million for the
Fletcher Manufacturing Co., wrappers by the hundreds of thousands for Perry Davis'
Pain Killer. Every week, for a number of years, it printed The General Advertiser.
Occasionally it had the city contract, and it turned out a good catalogue annually and
triennially for the college ' on the hill.' Besides, it did fair job work for everybody, and
book work in a reasonably good style.
"The office contained a number of cylinder presses, some Adams' platen presses,
three or four hand-presses, on which the huge cloth tickets for the mills were printed,
and a few small job presses. These last 'were run by steam which was furnished by a
poor old engine which had used itself up in promoting the success of the firm. There
was a fine array of book type and job letter, but the greater part of the whole establish-
ment had seen better days.
" John N. Hammond was manager at the time when I was invited to purchase of
Albert N. Angell a share of the stock at $3000. William H. Smith was foreman of the
job department, and Jeremiah N. Thomas was chief of the book department. Highly
appreciating the honor of a connection with Mr. Knowles and The Journal, and not
knowing much about what an office should be, I assumed the share enthusiastically and
became assistant to Mr. Smith, with the prospect in view of succeeding Mr. Hammond as
manager when he should lay aside the cares of the head man.
" The working force of the establishment consisted of about 25 men and boys. In
the counting-room was Mr. Hammond, a genial, pleasant-faced gentleman, who had the
amiable, courteous manner essential for meeting successfully college professors, manu-
facturers, stationers and booksellers, city and state officers, and a select class of custom-
ers such as the office had fortunately drawn to it. To aid Mr. Hammond in waiting upon
this clientage, Mr. Smith had an equally agreeable manner ; and that end of the business
was certainly in good hands. Among the employes were Robert M. Pearse, Samuel S.
Wilson and Frank Farrell, all pressmen ; Jonathan Helme, Jerry Thomas, William H.
Chenery and Albert N. Angell, compositors. R. A. Reid, my brother, was one of the
young job compositors.
" Mr. Hammond soon retired by reason of an injury which he had received in falling
from a car at East Greenwich, and I was selected to take his position as manager. This
place I held for about 2l/2 years, gaining considerable in experience but not much in hard cash,
as the requirements for new material to put the office in condition to handle properly the
demands for modern production were too imperative to allow of paying both the stock-
holders and the type-founders. Then, satisfied that the place was a 'misfit' for me, I
resigned the management and went ' back to the case.'
" Some time after this the establishment was bought in by Albert N. Angell. Later
still it came into the hands of the Ackerman Co., and is now known as the Standard
Printing Co. Some of the best book work done in Providence has been produced in the
office under the present management."
John A. O'Neil, now an employe of the Boston Globe, describes his
entry into the printing business and subsequent experiences in various
job offices in Providence :
" In February, 1872, a boy of 15, I went out to look for work, On Weybosset street,
at No. 57, in the building now occupied by E. A. Johnson & Co., printers, I noticed a large
sign, which read ' Millard & Harker, Steam Printers.' I applied there for work and imme-
diately began my career in the printing business. Thomas M. Harker had just died and
the firm was styled Millard, Gray & Simpson. Samuel Millard was quite an old man, and
for many years previous had been connected with the Journal job office. Millard and
Gray worked on the presses, Simpson at the case, together with Rhodes T. W. Collins,
Alexander Niger, Henry Orme and occasionally George J. West. William Snow and John
Sullivan, the latter better known as ' Yankee,' were also pressmen in the office.
' " ' Yankee's ' great fault lay in his habit of swearing, and his vocabulary of ' cuss '
words was very strong and original. When Millard & Harker were doing business in the
old Rubber Works building, at the corner of Dorrance and Dyer streets, ' Yankee ' had
his hand crushed in a press. He was taken to a doctor's office, located where the Outlet
building now stands. The doctor decided to amputate the hand. ' Yankee ' let loose ;
the doctor could not stand the profanity and ordered 'Yankee's' friends to take him
away, which they did, going to another physician in the vicinity, who dressed the wound
and saved the hand.
194 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
" The foreman of the office at that time was William H. Smith, who for many years
after was connected with the Board of Public Works, The cases in the office had been
labelled by the celebrated pedestrian printer, ' Jim ' Williamson, and quotations from past
literary gems were used. I recall but two, and quote from memory : ' On yon Grampion
hills my father feeds his flocks.' ' Down deep in hell the devil hurls bad type.'
"Like all apprentice boys I was often sent out to 'borrow a line,' and by this means
became quite well known and made many acquaintances in the other offices. Hammond
& Angell's was then the largest and oldest in the city. It was a typographical museum
in a way. There were many reverential-looking, white-bearded, old-school printers em-
ployed there. I often saw one of them printing ' headings ' on a hand-press. The regis-
ter could not be more perfect, and the impression was clear and distinct. One day the
boys tied a turtle to the string holding the copy guide of one of these patriarchal-looking
compositors, who, after making many 'outs' and vain attempts to keep his guide in
place, declared the office to be haunted, and went home. Cornelius Jones published the
General Advertiser there and set type on his own paper. There were Adams' book
presses there, and a queer-looking job press that went 'ker-chunk' when taking an im-
pression, and behind which you could stand and unlock the form on the platen.
"Another office was run by Tourgee & Maxfield, located where the Bristol Hotel
now stands. Charles C. Gray graduated from there.
"Henry Tilden, a dignified gentleman in appearance and a Lord Chesterfield in
deportment, conducted a job office just below 57, on Weybosset street. It had oil cloth
on the floor and paintings on the wall, and was kept very neat. 'Jimmy' Bowen, a
bright, red-headed boy, was ' devil ' there, and when Tilden was moving his residence
from Fountain street to Broadway ' Jimmy ' was sent to help in the operation. Upon
him devolved the duty of carrying the family pet, a parrot, to its new home. On the
way the bird made some inquiries about ' Jimmy's ' nationality, which elicited a warm
reply that was afterwards repeated by the parrot to Tilden. When ' Jimmy ' told me the
story he was afraid that he was going to lose his job, but Tilden appreciated the joke too
well to punish the boy for it.
"About that time there was a small amateur office in the basement of a house on
Carpenter street that I visited evenings in company with ' Bill ' Chadsey, who, together
with E. A. Johnson, was interested in it. This was the Bethlehem of the E. A. Johnson
Co., which has since assumed such large proportions.
"Another office doing a large business at that time, paid its help in orders for
groceries, clothing, etc. A compositor who was asked to take a couple of gallons of
whiskey in part payment for money due him, refused for the reason that he ' did not
propose to feed his family on that kind of poison,' but he had to go without his wages.
" In the spring of 1873 Thomas Simpson withdrew from the firm of Millard, Gray &
Simpson, and became United States consul at St. Thomas, San Domingo. On the after-
noon of the day that he left Providence, J. C. Hall, of the firm of Bugbee & Hall, came to
the office and had a long conversation with Gray. It was then that the R. I. Printing Co.
was born. Negotiations for the formation of the company continued all summer. Dur-
ing the progress of the negotiations I was informed by an outside party that they could
not agree on a name. The office was then doing much work for the Rhode Island Insur-
ance Association. I suggested the name, R. I. Printing Co. to my friend, who proposed
it at a meeting and it was adopted. When the company began business 'Yankee,'
Collins and your correspondent went with them. An hour or so after I went to work,
Capt. George W. Barry put in an appearance and began his first day of over 30 years' em-
ployment in that office. He is the only printer whom I ever saw wear a white vest at work.
At the end of the week it was fit for a Westminster street Sunday afternoon parade. It
was in this office that the pocket check book, now used all over the world, was first
brought out. The firm of Bugbee & Hall then controlled it and paid a royalty to its
inventor, the late Col. George E. Waring, then of Newport.
" I would like to jog the memory of the ' old guard ' about our ball games on ' cold
spring lot' and the many 'ways-goose' parties participated in, particularly the one on
which John Belcher issued his famous order, ' Go below there, Horace,' to his son, Horace
Greeley Belcher, (then a boy of ten years.) Those were happy days."
For twenty years J. A. & R. A. Reid conducted a printing office in
Providence. Its development, success and failure is told by J. A. Reid,
now a resident of St. Louis, Mo. :
" In September, 1874, James Allan Reid and Robert Allan Reid, two young printers,
began at 87 Westminster street the career of a firm which was destined, by reason of its
THE BOOK AND JOB SECTION
195
productions, to make itself and the city of Providence more or less famous. J. A. Reid
'served his time' on the Bristol (R. I.) Phoenix and with A. Crawford Greene in Provi-
dence, afterwards holding positions as journeyman with the Providence Press Co. in the
book and job department ; with the Hammond & Angell Co., as partner and manager ; a
frame on the New York World from 1869 to 1872, and on the New York Daily Graphic,
an illustrated newspaper, in the summer of 1874. R. A. Reid served his three years in
the Journal job office, and had a good ' round ' in Chicago afterwards. Their practical
experience gave them a very good capital to pit against the dollars which were furnished
the new firm as balance of its working stock by Robert and Jean Allan Reid — mother and
father of the ' boys,' who came to Rhode Island from Dairy and Kilwinning, Ayrshire,
Scotland, in 1842.
"The new firm had very fair
success in most of its ventures, their
business grew quite rapidly, and soon
required larger quarters, which
caused the first move, to 56 Wey-
bosset street, were they were located
some years in the building owned
by the late Judge Eli Aylesworth.
Not content with the ordinary op-
portunities for making money and
reputation as book and job printers,
the firm originated many publica-
tions which gave them a larger field
for the exercise of their talents.
"After awhile, finding their
headquarters on Weybosset street
were not just what was wanted for
a growing plant, the office was again
moved, this time to No. 24 Custom
House street, where it was located
for ten years, and where most of the
fame and reputation of the firm was
made. In this commodious building
they had one of the best plants, and
produced some of the finest work
turned out in New England. The
pride of the firm was staked on pro-
ducing the very best work in all
their lines, and a laudable aspiration
to excel was created in the minds of
their apprentices, journeymen, ar-
tists and solicitors.
"While located here 'Pictur-
esque Washington' a finely illus-
trated book on the National Capitol,
with the text written by Joseph West Moore, a Providence newspaper man, was pub-
lished. It reached a sale of nearly 50,000 copies. 'Three Decades of Federal Legis-
lation,' a volume projected as an offset to 'Elaine's Book,' and written by the Hon.
S. S. ('Sunset') Cox, was also published during this period, and reached a sale
of about 25,000 copies. 'Th.e Providence Plantations,' a large quarto, costing about
$20,000 to produce, reached 7,500 in its various editions. Their lives of ' Burnside,' by
Ben : Perley Poore, and ' Phil Sheridan,' by Colonels Hinton and Burr, were moderate
successes. Some of their children's books reached up into nattering figures, and many
of their lighter publications, like ' Christmas Bells,' reached annually into hundreds of
thousands. Altogether the firm originated and printed nearly 100 independent publica-
tions during its business career, probably surpassing the achievements of any other one
house in its line up to 1894, the year of the accident to J. A. Reid, which was the over-
powering reason for the final suspension of the firm.
" During its occupancy of the Daniels building the firm experienced two serious
fires, one of which was general in its scope and caused heavy loss to a large number of
firms in the vicinity. The other was limited to this particular building. The firm was
struggling from the effects of the second fire when, in 1894, Mr. J. A. Reid, who had
ROBERT A. REID
196 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
assumed the entire burden of the business, was thrown from an electric car and 'downed'
completely through concussion of the brain.
" The plant of J. A. & R. A. Reid was well supplied with modern presses — a number of
them from the famous manufacturers, C. B. Cottrell & Sons of Westerly and New York—
with the best and latest faces of job type, and a great variety of letter for fine book work,
catalogues, newspapers, small poster work, railroad time tables, and the diversified orders
which come to a well-equipped printing office in these days."
William P. Bittman, of Denver, Col., gives his impressions of the
office of the R. I. Printing Co. and its employes at an interesting period
of its existence :
" I went to work at the R. I. Printing Co. in the early part of 1882, as a temporary
or emergency hand. It was a fine office, and turned out some of the finest work done in
Providence, was abundantly supplied with all the latest and up-to-date creations of the
different type foundries ; was kept in apple pie order — a place for everything and every-
thing in its place. All the type was nickel-plated. About six regulars and one or two
apprentices were employed at the time. During working hours — by way of deviation,
social problems were solved, politics discussed, and Butler's 'Hudibras' quoted by the
square yard. It was not necessary to resort to prison rules to keep the men in line, and
the utmost latitude was extended to everyone. When a new comer received a job to do
by the foreman, it was generally accompanied by the remark : ' Take your time ; we look
to quality and not quantity in this office.'
" John A. Belcher was the foreman. John was a master at the art, a good proof-
reader, and an all-round clever fellow. Unfortunately, John possessed an ungovernable
temper, and when he got his ' dander ' up, at some real or fancied ' outrage ' perpetrated
on him or in violation of the established rules and regulations of the office, then you
could look out for ' Das Donnerroetter,' to use a German cuss word. A Kansas cyclone
or an eruption of Mount Vesuvius was nothing in comparison with it. These outbursts
were infrequent, however, and were generally aimed at the innocent, harmless and much-
abused Joseph, his brother, one of the neatest and most artistic job printers in the city
of Providence ; among the rest of the typos they created considerable merriment.
" Among the employes of the R. I. Printing Co. during my time were the following,
who bore pompous and weighty names, to wit : John ' Hamilton Boyd ' Kidd, John
'Adams' Belcher, Joseph 'Warren' Belcher, 'Zopher Randall' Cummings, and last, but
not least, my esteemed, amiable and ancient friend, familiarly known as the ' Antiquated
Captain,' George ' Wellington ' Barry, who, I learn, is still on deck, although he must
have passed the four-score mile post of his life, and bids fair to rival in longevity the
illustrious ' Iron Duke ' of Waterloo fame, whose name he bears, and who passed from
time to eternity in his 83d year. Great Scott ! Captain, are you never going to say '30'?
There you have it, comedy, tragedy, war, peace— all the elements necessary, and right at
hand, too !
" There is no doubt that the weight of their names was of tentime a mighty load,
and their efforts at dignity were not always successful. Still, one might be sure of a
warm heart beating under the waistcoat, covering the overwrought chest so often thrown
out with either real or imaginary military ardor or literary pride.
" I remained in Providence about two or three years, working at the Rhode Island
and occasionally subbing on the Visitor, Sunday Dispatch, etc., and then went to
Boston. In 1894 Boston Typographical Union sent me to the Union Printers' Home. The
climate was so beneficial that I left the Home and settled in Denver. A generous
increase in my pension from the United States Government enables me to live way up on
the sunny side of Easy street, and spend the remaining few years of my life in the dolce
far niente."
His first day's experience in a Providence printing office as an
apprentice is told by Albert P. E. Doyle, now of Washington, D. C. :
" In 1889, E. A. Johnson, head of the firm bearing that name, offered the annual
apprenticeship to me without further agreement than the admonition, ' If the job don't
suit you, git ; if you don't suit the job, gitto ! ' I was informed that Mr. Joseph H.
O'Verdine was to be my boss, but a few hours' labor in the book-room demonstrated that
Miss Emma Ballou, Mr. John Henry Whalen, the Misses Cora B. Wilson, Katie Kiernan,
Gracie Fisk, Messrs. George Washington Cutting, Charles Dickens Gardiner, A. B. C. D.
Frost, Frank Fort Fuller, with many others to hear from, were also in command of the ship.
THE BOOK AND JOB SECTION 197
"Naturally of a modest and retiring disposition I fell over myself in complying
with the various orders of my numerous foremen and foreladies, everybody taking a
whack except Mr. J. H. O'V., and by 10 o'clock occasional comments of satisfaction told
me that I was solid, and that the office had at last secured a truly good boy.
" At the expiration of that time, however, presuming that I had become sufficiently
acquainted with the various sections of the office so as to receive and digest instruction
in the ' art preservative,' Mr. William Wallace, the senior ' devil,' condescended to teach
the ' young tree ' how to wash the ink-slab without soiling the instructor's hands, taking
care meanwhile to impress upon him the fact that if those before mentioned were
captains, he was commodore. Willie promptly initiated me into all those graces and
virtues which made my presence so welcome to J. Henry Whalen and to J. Henry Dillon
throughout the remainder of my apprenticeship.
" To resume, while nearly a year's full residue was being soaked and scraped and
scraped and soaked from the ink-slab, John Henry Baxter was laboriously, but fastidiously
covering the tympan of the old Washington hand-press with new felt and packing. John
was probably as proud of his handiwork when finished as was the new devil of the re-
splendent ink-slab, which by this (and be it truly chronicled for the last) time, fairly
glistened in immaculate purity.
" John laid out an eight-page form on the now rejuvenated press, sullied the fair
face of my ink-slab with a daub of ink which is on it yet, inked the form, pulled a proof,
and I can yet see the look of intense satisfaction spreading o'er his features as he stepped
back and surveyed the impression. He ordered Wallace to pull nine more proofs. Wal-
lace ordered me to assist in pulling the lever over. With a thrill of pride I jointly
grasped the handle with W., and learned by the time the lever reached its centre that
instead of my assisting Wallace, Wallace was assisting me, and very feebly at that.
" As the lever would very likely be on the far side of the press yet, had I not pulled
it over, it looked to me like finding the nickle Wallace bet that I could not push it back
alone. Two feet braced firmly against the well-filled and Will-filled ' hell-box,' and the
almost superhuman shove on the lever ' did ' something. A quick glance at the debris
and a quick glance at J. H. B. as quickly told me that something else would soon be
' did.' As there was only three stories under us, I moved for the entry at about John's
pace (no, gentle reader, John was not walking), for had I not noticed there were no fur-
trimmed Juliets over his E-12 white socks, and heard him say, ' Water will rot the bottom
of a ship,' and observed that he did not make a practice of praying during working hours,
not to mention that he was the sole custodian of the filigree type? No, I was convinced
that John was not a fit associate for me at that moment. I reasoned that if I stayed in
the entry long enough to count ten billion ten times matters inside would shape them-
selves so that at least I could get my hat and coat. I had hardly finished counting my
seventy-fifth million when Mr. John Henry Whalen came out and invited me to return.
The good lord knows that I was waiting for Wallace, but, J. Henry, why did you grin ?
" When I finished with J. Hen. my promotion was rapid, for I was then and there
installed admiral of the fleet, and remained in that capacity until ' Billy ' Donovan took
me under his sheltering mantle just 365 days afterward, but first informing me that he
was the pilot of the craft and if I desired to reach my destination I would have to ship as
a common land-lubber. As I received able-seaman's papers right after leaving his care,
it seems needless to mention that the pilot's orders were sacredly obeyed."
The John F. Greene office is probably the oldest in the city, having
been started in 1828, by John S. Greene at 7 North Main street. Wil-
liam Simons, Jr., purchased it the next year and it was moved to 15
Market square. It was the home of the Republican Herald, the leading
Democratic semi-weekly newspaper, until 1853, when a consolidation
with the Daily Post was accomplished, which continued until 1867. In
that year John F. Greene became its owner, it was separated from the
newspaper, and moved to 56 Canal street. In 1886 John F. Minchin
and Elias S. Nickerson purchased the office and it was moved to 81
Dyer street. When Mr. Minchin died in 1906, John A. Belcher took
his place in the firm.
198 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
Snow & Farnham's book and job office, now located at 63 Wash-
ington street, was originally connected with the Evening Press news-
paper, started in 1859. From 1861 to 1900 the office was in the
building at the northwest corner of Dyer and Custom House streets.
The printing for the State was done there for many years, and also the
city printing. In September, 1884, the book and job department was
separated from the newspapers, and shortly after came into possession
of its present owners, Edwin M. Snow and Joseph E. C. Farnham.
Twice the plant was almost completely destroyed by fire, the last one
causing removal to the present location. A very large and successful
business has been done by the firm.
In 1882, Frank D. Livermore and Richard D. Knight formed a
partnership under the name of Livermore & Knight. Both partners
had been conducting printing offices for a few years previously. Their
first location was at 18 Custom House street. In a few years the in-
crease of business caused a removal to 74 Weybosset street, which
location was occupied for about ten years. The Lauderdale building
on Westminster street next accommodated their growing business for
about seven years, when another removal was made to Pine street, cor-
ner Hay street, their present home. Printing is but a small part of the
product of this firm, but the quality is first class and their field of
operations very extensive.
The Remington Printing Co. was started in 1891 by P. S. Reming-
ton at 43 Weybosset street in a modest way. Two years later it was
located at 153 Dorrance street and F. M. Mason and John E. Hurley
became members of the firm. The growth of the business compelled
another moving in 1895. This time the present ample quarters in the
Hanley building, 63 Washington street, were occupied. In 1900 B. P.
Moulton purchased P. S. Remington's interest.
The Franklin Press, now located at 63 Washington street, is the
successor of J. L. & E. N. Casey, who opened an office at 7 College
street in 1892. The Caseys were students at Brown University and
their first venture in Providence was as editors and publishers of the
Brown Daily Herald, still issued regularly during the College terms
from the Franklin Press. J. L. & E. N. Casey were succeeded in 1893
by Casey, Murch & Co., in 1894 by Casey Brothers, and in 1896, when
the plant was moved to its present location, by the Franklin Press.
The latter has changed hands but not its name several times, the pres-
ent officers, Charles A. Dalton, President, and Thomas J. Griffin, Treas-
urer, having taken charge in 1901. The plant is splendidly equipped
for first-class work of all kinds, and the largest force of Union job com-
positors in the city is employed at the Franklin. The veteran Fred-
THE BOOK AND JOB SECTION 199
erick B. Amsden has set the type for the Brown Daily Herald so many
years that he has come to be regarded as an indispensable adjunct to
its publication. The Franklin Press granted the eight-hour day Jan. 1,
1906, without friction of any sort. It has profited by the label cam-
paign incident to the strike, having doubled its force of compositors to
meet the requirements of new business.
One of the best-known Union shops in the city is that conducted at
33 Washington street by the William R. Brown Company, A. W. Wood-
cock, proprietor. William R. Brown's first venture as a master printer
was located on Dorrance street, removal being made to 47 Eddy street,
and later to the present location. Mr. Woodcock was admitted to the
firm just previous to Mr. Brown's death, which occurred in 1903, and
he has since conducted the business. The William R. Brown Company
makes a specialty of badge work, and does more printing for secret and
fraternal societies, perhaps, than any other office in the city. It is,
however, well equipped for other work, and conducts a profitable busi-
ness. The eight-hour day went into effect there Jan. 1, 1906, and the
shop is thoroughly Union.
In 1889 James H. Mathews bought out a printing partnership
which he had entered at 1052 High street less than a fortnight pre-
vious, and moved the plant to 1851 Westminster street, where he has
been in business continuously since then, in later years as partner' with
his younger brother, Thomas J. Mathews, under the firm name of J. H.
& T. J. Mathews. James H. Mathews learned his trade in Westerly,
R. I., and was foreman of the Westerly Sun previous to coming to
Providence. The plant is very well equipped for all classes of work,
and has been enlarged several times, a new press having been installed
in October, 1907. This firm was the first in the city to carry a Union
label. The Mathews brothers are staunch Union men, both carrying
cards, James H. as a pressman, and Thomas J. as a member of Provi-
dence Typographical Union.
In 1898 Charles Manshell opened a small printing office at 19 Mill
street, moving in 1899 to 339 North Main street, and in 1901 to 115-119
Pine street, where the business is still continued under the name of the
Sun Printing Company, in quarters several times enlarged since the
moving to Pine street. The plant is an extensive one, including
the largest cylinder press in the city and a new model ticket machine,
which is the first of its kind to be installed here. Mr. Manshell is one
of the most enterprising and energetic master printers in the city,
and the large and increasing business of the Sun Printing Company is
ample evidence of his keen sagacity and sound business sense. To Mr.
Manshell principally is due credit for the demand for the Union label
200 PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
among the large Hebrew population of the city. The Sun invariably
advertises as a Union printing house; it granted the eight-hour day
Jan. 1, 1906, and Mr. Manshell still carries a card, although doing very
little work at the case in recent years.
The Loose Leaf Manufacturing Company was reorganized early in
1907, a combination being made with H. M. Coombs, a famous Providence
binder, who was then conducting a bindery at 63 Washington street,
to which the plant of the L. L. Manufacturing Company was moved
from Sabin street. The older L. L. Company had moved its plant to
IrfOuisville, Ky., in 1905, but reopened toward the close of that year in
this city. A change of management brought Irvin B. Stites into con-
trol, and he consummated the combination with H. M. Coombs. Mr.
Coombs retired from the reorganized company in October, 1907, open-
ing a new bindery across the street. The Loose Leaf Company has
one of the finest equipped plants in the city, and has facilities for turn-
ing out the finest quality of work of any description, from a simple
dodger to a bound volume, including ruling and blank book work of
all kinds. Quality is the watchword at the Loose Leaf. A slight un-
pleasantness in 1906, when the Loose Leaf Company returned to a
nine-hour schedule, was settled early in 1907, and the Loose Leaf Com-
pany has since then carried the Union label.
The Alpine Printing Co., George L. Hammond, proprietor, was
started in 1892. It is located at 94 Snow street and does a large and
profitable business.
Bushman & Co., 290 Eddy street, moved its plant in June, 1907,
from 489 Westminster street, to the present more commodious quarters.
The proprietors are enterprising young men and are building up a good
plant and a large business.
James R. Day, at 37 Weybosset street, has a well established busi-
ness, begun in 1888. Mr. Day is a badge specialist, but his patronage
among the commercial houses and banks of the city is large. He is re-
liable, punctual in fulfilling promises and well liked by those who are
his customers.
Holland & Son, John and Oscar, conduct a small commercial plant
at 131 Washington street, the father as pressman and the son as com-
positor. They have a wide circle of friends and their business is
profitable.
The Ideal Printing Company, 45 Eddy street, George H. Webb,
proprietor, is well equipped for good work.
The Industrial Printing Company, 43 South Main street, is con-
ducted by another hustling and enterprising young man, George H.
Brown. Mr. Brown's business has grown by leaps and bounds in recent
THE BOOK AND JOB SECTION 201
years, removal to more commodious quarters two years ago, promising
duplication by simple necessity within the near future.
The Oxford Linotype Composition Company was organized in
August, 1907, by Henry W. and John F. O'Hara. One machine was
installed at 24 North Main street. In September the printing plant of
the Visitor was absorbed and the Oxford Company moved across the
street to the old Visitor office, at 27 North Main street.
The Providence Printing Company, at 24 North Main street, was
established early in 1907, by Hugh F. Carroll, who has more than once
in recent months demonstrated the possibilities of a small plant.
"Printers and Printing in Providence" is from the press of the Provi-
dence Printing Co.
George W. Hope conducts the Star Printing Co. at 910 Westmin-
ster street, well known as a Union house.
The Whitney Press, at 45 Waldo street, has a well-equipped
plant.
H. Beck & Co., 191 North Main street, are new comers in Provi-
dence.
Carl C. Robb, a popular member of No. 33, in October, 1907, opened
an office at 211 Indiana avenue, where he prints.
Ralph Freeman, in June, 1907, became manager of a small printing
plant owned by the Boys' Club, at Eddy and Weybosset streets.
The Capitol Printing Company, 95 Westminster street, was organ-
ized in 1907, John F. Keenan, Richard D. Lacy and Frank G. Sullivan,
employes of the Journal and Bulletin, being the proprietors. The
Capitol is almost the first enterprise in Providence conducted by print-
ers who are not directly connected with its mechanical department.
An imprint about 1800 reads " Printed by Nathaniel and Benjamin
Heaton for Joseph J. Todd, Providence, at the sign of the Bible and
Anchor." One of these Heatons was in partnership with Samuel J.
Williams in 1804. No other mention of the Heatons has been found.
Some of the book and job offices not otherwise referred to are
included in the following list :
1824-36 — Henry Trumbull at 26 and 34 1833 — Edward and J. W. Cory at 9
High st. Market sq.
1826 — Barzillai Cranston at 10 North 1833 — James S. Ham and S. R. Weeden
Main st. 1828 — Cranston & Marshall at at 9 Market sq.
4 Market sq. 1830 — Cranston & Ham- 1840 — Benjamin T. Albro at 9 Market
mond at 1 Union buildings. 1832 — Bar- sq. 1844 at 2 Canal st. 1847-50 at 5
zillai Cranston at 4 Market sq. 1836 at Canal st. 1853-56 at 11 Market sq.
14 Market sq. 1838 and later at 1 Mar- 1841 — Benjamin F. Moore at 19 Mar-
ket sq., where he also conducted a book ket sq. 1844 at 12 South Main st.
store. 1852 — Marcus B. Young at 24 West-
1826-28 — Smith & Parmenter at 9 Mar- minster st. 1859 at 33 Westminster st.
ket sq. 1870 — A. S. Reynolds. 1873 — Reynolds
1828 — William Marshall at 4 Union (M. M.), Mackinnon (G. F. ) & Trumpler
buildings. 1830 at 12 Market sq. 1836 at (P. J.) at 9 Calender st. Christian Union
19 Market sq. and Daily Chronicle were published from
202
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
the office while at this location. 1875 at
5 Washington row. Sunday Dispatch
printed in the office. 1878 — Moved to
East Greenwich.
1854 — Henry Tilden at 32 Westminster
st. 1871 at 29 Weybosset st. 1880 at 4
Westminster st.
1857 — Henry L. Tillinghast at 9 and
12 Market sq.
1865 — George H. Whitney at 7 Market
sq. 1871 — Logee (W. K.), Maxfield (W.
B.) & Co. 1873 — Valpey, Angell Co. &
Maxfield. 1877-1907 — E. L. Freeman &
Co. at 3 Westminster st.
1867 — Millard (S. M.) & Harker (T.
M. ) at 131 Dorrance st. 1869 — S. M. Mil-
lard at 57 Weybosset st. 1870 — Millard,
Gray (C. C.) & Simpson (T.). 1874— S.
M. Millard. 1877 — Millard, Morris (J. F.)
6 Co. (E. W. Woodley) at 111 Broad st.
1878 — J. Frank Briggs instead of Wood-
ley. 1879— Peter H. Massie. 1882 at Slade
building, Washington st.
1871 — James J. Easton at 14 Westmin-
ster st.
1871 — M. A. Walsh at 16 North Main st.
1873 — Trumpler (P. J. ) & Burchfield
(C. E.) at 98 Westminster st.
1873 — Thomas A. Carpenter & Co. at
125 Broad st.
1873-4 — Hutchinson (A. S.) & Trenn
(W. H.) at 156 Westminster st.
1873 — Joseph F. Morris at 20 Westmin-
ster st. 1874 at 9 Calender st.
1874 — Edward K. Aldrich at 243 West-
minster st. 1875 — E. K. & Thomas W.
Aldrich. 1878— E. K. Aldrich at 217 West-
minster st.
1875 — Star Printing Co. at 256 Public st.
1875 — John Francis Smith. 1880 at 49
Peck st. 1881 at 21 Friendship st. 1885
at 235 Westminster st. 1891 at 123 Dor-
rance st. 1893 at 154 Dorrance st.
1875 — William H. Tilley at 5 Marshall
st. 1879 at 444 High st. 1880-86 at 606
High st.
1875 — Frank E. Nickerson at 5 Wash-
ington row.
1876 — Charles Atwood at 2 Major st.
1878 at 9 Winter st.
1876 — Andrew P. Martin at 359 North
Main st.
1876 — Dow B. Talbot at 18 Cranston st.
1878 — Thomas S. Hammond at 49 Wey-
bosset st. 1882-1907 at 98 Weybosset st.
1907 at 26 Custom House st.
1878 — George B. Arnold at 135 South
Main st.
1878 — Henry N. Leader & Co. at 87
Westminster st.
1878 — Mylon C. Merriam at 81 West-
minster st.
1878 — John S. Kellogg at 7 Market sq.
1879 at 19 Westminster st. 1881 at 5
Washington row. 1883-89 — Kellogg Print-
ing Co.
1878 — Noah D. Payne at 12 Page st.
1879 at 25 Potter st. 1880 at 82 Academy
av. 1883 — Yankee Notion Printing Co. at
202 Westminster st. 1888 — Marion Print-
ing Co. at 129 Westminster st. 1893 at
157 Westminster st. 1899 at 25 North
Main st. 1900 at 108 Eddy st. 1904 at
37 Weybosset st. 1905-7 at 19 Page st.
1879 — W. Ward Fuller at 98 Weybos-
set. 1880 — Fuller, Upham & Co. at 91
Westminster st. and 31 Exchange place.
1881 — W. Ward Fuller. 1882 at ' 109
Orange st.
1879 — Farmer, Livermore & Co. at 27
Custom House st. ; Richard D. Knight at
24 Custom House st. 1880 at 18 Custom
House st. 1881 — Knight & Remington (R.
D. Knight and C. R. Remington, Jr.).
1883 — Livermore & Knight.
1880 — H. L. Thompson & Co. at 75
Westminster st.
1880 — J. C. Hall & Co. at 62 Weybos-
set st. 1891 at 60 Weybosset st. 1899-
1907 — The J. C. Hall Co. at 68 West
Exchange st.
1881 — A. C. Beaman at 3 Weybosset st.
1881 — Chadsey (W. N.) & Clarke (E.
M. ) at 97 Weybosset st. 1882 at 23 Wey-
bosset st. 1888 at 9 Custom House st.
1893 — W. N. Chadsey at 44 Custom
House st.
1881 — H. A. Townsend & Bro. at 98
Weybosset st. 1882 at 188 Eddy st. 1883
— F. H. Townsend. 1897-1907 at 95
Pine st.
1881 — Charles C. Bigelow at 97 Wey-
bosset st. 1882 at 26 Washington st. 1884
— Bigelow Printing Co. 1888 at 45 Eddy
st. 1889 at 21 Eddy st. While located
here the presswork for the Evening Call,
the daily newspaper issued by Providence
Typographical Union, was done by this
company. In July a Scott perfecting press
was used.
1882 — Myron R. Briggs at 30 Admiral
st. 1884 at 348 North Main st.
1883 — F. E. Capron at 13 Market sq.
1883 — Charles W. Littell & Co. at 243
Westminster st. 1891 at 267 Westminster
st. 1893 at 333 Westminster st. 1895 at
206 Weybosset st. 1896-1907 at 333 West-
minster st.
1883 — Crandall (W. C.) & Tucker (H.
W.) at 243 Westminster st.
1883 — Whittemore (D. H.) & Thompson
(H. L.) at 54 North Main st. 1886-1907
— Whittemore & Colburn (J. G.).
1883 — Edwin B. Evans at 18 Hammond
st. 1886 at — Cranston st. 1890 at 292
Westminster st.
1884 — George E. Crandall, Jr., at 7 Mar-
ket sq.
1884 — J. T. R. Proctor at 174 Westmin-
ster st.
1884-88 — George M. Webb at 208 Pine st.
1884-86 — R. D. Gerrish at 1 Irons Block,
Olneyville.
1884 — Almon B. Hart at 235 Westmin-
ster st.
1885— Francis (R.) & Walker (G. F.)
at 19 Fenner st.
1885 — John H. Schofield at 5 Washing-
ton row.
1885 — George F. Chapman & Co. at 27
Pine st. and 62 Weybosset st. 1894 — Perry
Printing Co. 1895 — William H. Walton,
Supt., at 25 Pine st. 1899-1907 at 57 Wey-
bosset st.
THE BOOK AND JOB SECTION
203
1885 — A. H. Field & Co. at 57 Weybos-
set st. 1899 at 186 Mathewson st. 1903 at
180 Mathewson st. 1905 at 124 Washing-
ton st. 1907 at 775 Westminster st.
1886 — Farmer (E. G.), Girsch (C. W.)
& Co. at 18 Custom House st. 1887 — E. G.
Farmer & Co.
1887 — A. H. Cary at 255 High st. 1889
at 33 Snow st.
1887 — O. T. R. Greene at 11 Washing-
ton st. 1893 at 21 Washington st. 1907 at
5 Washington row.
1887-8 — N. L. McCausland & Co. at 21
South Main st.
1887-91 — Avondale Printing Co., Her-
man L. Calder, manager, at 258 Westmin-
ster st.
1888 — Ideal Card and Printing Co. at
65 Dorrance st. (P. W. Rounds and F.
W. Smith).
1888— .E. W. Kenyon at 235 Westmin-
ster st.
1888 — Cummings (M. J.) & Dow (J. C.)
at 77% Dorrance st. 1889 — M. J. Cum-
mings. 1892 at 112 Dorrance st.
1888 — Edward H. Morrissey at 235
Westminster st.
1888 — R. I. Label Works at 33 Beverly
st. 1895 at 91 Sabin st.
1888 — T. W. Schurman at 254 Westmin-
ster st. 1889 at 262 Westminster st.
1888 — Star Printing Co. at 255 West-
minster st. David Seide, manager.
1888-9 — Frederick B. Wood at 45 Eddy
st.
1889 — George D. Niven & Co. at 998
Broad st.
1889 — H. I. Gould & Co. at 282 West-
minster st. 1893-1901 at 400 Westmin-
ster st.
1890-92— W. E. Burbank at 227 Eddy st.
1890 — Ryder (James J.) & Dearth
(Henry B.) at 146 Westminster st. 1892
— J. J. Ryder Co. 1898-1907 at 47 Wash-
ington st.
1890-92 — Sholes (W. F.) & Searle (E.
W.) at 33 Snow st. 1895 at Hoppin Home-
stead Building. 1898-1905 at 189 Mathew-
son st.
1890-1907 — Standard Printing Co. at 5
Washington row. B. F. Briggs, manager.
1890 — James N. Arnold at 30 Eddy st.
1890 — Louis Basinet at 255 High st.
1891 at 376 High st. 1893 at 890 West-
minster st. 1901-7 at 35 Cranston st.
1890— George A. Wilson & Co. at 21
Eddy st. 1895 at 101 Sabin st. 1897 —
Journal of Commerce Co.
1891 — Standard Steam Printing and Pub-
lishing Co. at 39 Snow st.
1891-2 — Walter J. Ellis at 269 West-
minster st.
1891 — Charles H. Heptonstall & Bro. at
1076 High st. 1893 at 1962 Westminster st.
1891-3 — E. A. Risley & Co. at 24 Cus-
tom House st.
1891 — Sibley (Edward F.) & Johnson
(Clarence P.) at 1078 High st. 1892 —
Edward F. Sibley. 1893 at 1964 Westmin-
ster st. 1899-1907 at 1 Olneyville sq.
1891 — Buker Publishing Co. at 19 West-
minster st. 1894-9 at 21 Westminster st.
1891 — F. S. Bowen at 282 Dyer st.
1892-3 — Claude Gardiner at 366 High st.
1893 — Providence Printing and Publishing
Co at 874 Westminster st.
1892 — R. I. Publishing Co., B. F. Evans,
manager, at 9 Calender st.
1892 — Taylor Card and Printing Co. at
4 Mathewson st. 1893 at 186 Mathewson
st. 1900 at 179 Richmond st. 1904 at 257
West Exchange st.
1893-5 — Chace (Robert A.) & Young
(Richard A.) at 47 Sprague st.
1893 — Providence Albertype Co. at 80
East George st. 1900-2 — Platt Albertype
Co. at 35 North Main st.
1893 — E. M. Clarke at 41 Dorrance st.
1894 at 44 Custom House st. 1899-1907 at
332 Prairie av.
1893-1903 — Eagle Printing Co. at 12
Moulton st.
1893 — Ellis Printing Co. at 28 North
Main st.
1893-1901 — Elmwood Printing Co. at 76
Fifield av. C. E. Bailey, Jr., Manager.
1893 — Herald Printing Co. at 75 West-
minster st. 1897 at 49 Westminster st.
1893 — Madden (F. C.), Bell (J. D.)
Co. at 76 Dorrance st.
1894 — American Press Co. at 216 Wey-
bosset st. Henry Lindsay, proprietor.
1894 — Diamond Printing Co. at 24 North
Main st. (James D. O'Hern and Albert
P. Doyle.) 1901 — James D O'Hern.
1894 — Pond (W. H.) & Raymond (G.)
at 75 Clifford st. 1899— William H. Pond
& Son (L. G.) at 83 Page st. 1900 at 110
. Richmond st.
1894 — Charles H. Ross at 121 Weybos-
set st.
1895 — Bannon & Co. at 64 North Main
st. (John L. Bannon). 1896 at 43 North
Main st. 1897 at 874 Westminster st.
1900 — H. W. Goodnow & Co. 1901 — Rapid
Printing Co. at 63 Washington st.
1895-7 — Continental Printing Co. at 97
Dyer st. James C. Gregg, secretary.
1895 — John Cray, Olneyville sq. 1899
at 34 Plainfield st. 1902 at 16 Plainfield
st. 1907 at 65 Plainfield st.
1895 — Narragansett Printing Co. at 99
Friendship st. 1898 at 155 Orange st.
1900 at 9 Calender st. 1901 at 21 Eddy
st. 1905-7 at 45 Eddy st.
1896 — Herbert Barnett at 926 Man-
ton av.
1896-1907 — P. W. Card at 741 West-
minster st.
1896 — David Evans at 767 Westminster
st. 1897 — Evans Printing and Regalia
House at 141 Weybosset st.
1896 — Fox (C. J.) & Saunders (H. L.)
at 12 Market sq. 1897 at 137 Weybosset
st. 1907 at 236 Aborn st.
1896 — Globe Printing Co. at 37 Wey-
bosset st.
1896 — Gunn & Wilcox at 87 Weybosset
st. (Harry E. Gunn.)
1896 — J. D. Hall & Co. at 101 Sabin st.
1896 — Charles E. Littlefield at 206
Weybosset st.
1896 — F. C. Madden at 10 West Ex-
change st.
204
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
1897 — Bacon (James G.) & Graham
(Thomas) Printing Co. at 348 Westmin-
ster St.
1897 — John D. Bradshaw at 74 Bog-
man st. 1898 at 890 Westminster st. 1899
at 7 Trask st.
1897 — Cashman (Asa) & Rollinson
(John) at 47 Washington st. 1898 — John
Rollinson & Co. 1899 at 97 Dyer st.
1906-7 — Rollinson & Hey.
1897-1902 — The Robinson Press at 151
Pine st. (Thomas C. Robinson.)
1897 — Edward E. Zulegan at 612 Doug-
lass av.
1898 — Chaff ee-McIndoe Co. at 7 Eddy st.
1898-1907 — H. T. Hammond at 74 Wey-
bosset st.
1898 — Edwin S. Godfrey at 207 West-
minster st.
1899— Williams & Co. at 45 Eddy st.
(David H. Williams). 1903 at 96 Math-
ewson st.
1899 — Williams (Charles W.) & Fricker
(Alexander) at 141 Weybosset st. 1901-
5 — Williams, Fricker & Co.
1899 — Thompson & Thompson (Fred D.
and Henry L. ) at 163 Pine st. 1905 at
52 Richmond st. 1906-7 at 33 Broad st.
1900 — Columbian Job Print at 687 Man-
ton av. 1904-7 — Sander P. Wilson.
1900-2 — Frost Bros. (W. L. and H. B.)
at 233 Ohio av.
1900-1 — German- American Printing" Co.
at 125 Snow st. 1902 at 69 Richmond st.
1900 — Pentecostal Printing Co. at 877
Eddy st. 1904-7 at 212 Oxford st.
1900-4 — Place & Wells Co. at 8 Niantic
av. Emory L. Place, manager.
1901-7 — Brandt Printing Co. at 297
Canal st. (Soloman S. Brandt.)
1901 — F. Curzio & Co. at 84 Spruce
st. 1904-5 at 32 Spruce st.
1901 — Excelsior Printing Co. at 15 Dor-
ranee st. (Frank S. Bowen, manager.)
1903 at 121 North Main st. 1905 at 124
Washington st. 1907 at 775 Westmin-
ster st.
1901 — New York Printing Co. at 21
Washington st. 1902 at 9 Washington
row. 1907 at 15 Exchange place. (E. L.
Meyers. )
1901 — Walford B. Read at 1 Olney-
ville sq.
1901-7 — Benoni Sweet at 862 Broad st.
1902 — Robert F. Belcher at 400 West-
minster st. 1904 at 124 Washington st.
1902 — John H. Donahue at 348 West-
minster st. 1903 — Empire Mfg. and Print-
ing Co. at 131 Washington st. (William
Leach, J. H. Donahue and T. P. Davis.)
1902-4 — E. B. Evans & Co. at 936 Man-
ton av.
1902 — Keystone Press at 77 Dyer st.
1902 — H. K. Phillips at 15 Dorarnce st.
1902 — George E. Williams at 110 Rich-
mond st.
1903-7 — Acme Printing Co. at 35 West-
minster st.
1903-5 — Joseph G. Haunch at 15 Dor-
ranee st.
1903 — Maine Printing Co. at 43 Cran-
ston st.
1904-7 — W. H. Leland & Co. at 144
Westminster st.
1904-7 — Charles S. Reynolds & Co. at
37 Weybosset st
1904 — Fred Smith at 31 Broad st.
1904-6 — Vendome Mfg. Co. at 45 Eddy
st.
1904-7 — Weybosset Printing Co. at 141
Weybosset st.
1904 — O. P. Clarke at 98 Weybosset st.
1905-7 at 97 Dyer st.
1904 — La Liberta Publishing Co. at 155
Atwell's av.
1904-7 — Colorgraph Printing Co. at 49
Weybosset st.
1905 — Edgewood Press at 120 Washing-
ton st. ; 1907 at 390 New York av.
1905-7 — Providence Linotype Co. at 26
Custom House st.
1905-7 — E. C. Spencer at 8 Niantic av.
1906 — Gideon Carlstrom at 279 Wey-
bosset st. ; 1907 at 13 Burrell st.
1906 — C. M. Cunha at 55 Arcade.
1907 — Aronson & Gustafson at 186%
Prairie ave.
1907 — Samuel P. Harris at 95 Pine st.
1907 — L. M. Phelps & Co. at 95 West-
minster st.
1907 — International Printing Co. at 155
Atwell's av.
From 1772 until 1793, " the sign Shakespeare's Head was erected
upon a pole eight or ten feet high on the sidewalk in front of what is
now No. 21 Meeting street." The sign was first mentioned in connec-
tion with the Gazette, July 9, 1763, when the paper was published at
Judge Jenckes's book shop, at the sign of Shakespeare's Head.
The Gazette was moved " to the building at the southeast corner
of the Market House, directly opposite the street leading to Brown Uni-
versity," in 1812. The building with Hugh H. Brown's sign is the one.
It was torn down to widen College street.
In 1827 Market square was a veritable printing house square, as
the Patriot, Journal, Microcosm, Cadet, Christian Telescope, Religious
Messenger, Pawtucket Chronicle, Anti-Universalist and Rhode Island
Early Printing Houses
"SHAKESPEARE'S HEAD"
Providence Gazette, 1772-1793
"THE COFFEE HOUSE"
Providence Gazette, 1793-1812
Rhode Island American, 1813-1826
Providence Journal, 1820-1823
"ABBOTT 'STILL' HOUSE'
Providence Gazette, 1812-1825
H. H. Brown, 1856-1863
"THE GRANITE BUILDING"
Providence Journal, 1824-1833
Centre of Printing Industry in 1827
THE BOOK AND JOB SECTION
205
Register, together with numerous printing offices, were located there.
The buildings in which they were located were the Granite building
and the Old Coffee House.
The great gale of 1815 occurred on September 23. In a diary kept
by Bennett H. Wheeler, now in possession of Mrs. Frederick R. Hoard,
is a vivid account of the terrific storm of wind and water, and of his
efforts to rescue his family and others from the flood. Mr. Wheeler and
Capt. Josiah Jones were at that time publishers of the Patriot. Their
printing house was at the corner of Market square and North Main
street. From this point Capt. Jones witnessed the carrying away of the
bridge. The first vessel that dashed
against it brought up, but the
second one made a clean sweep
through, and the bridge was gone.
Barzillai Cranston was at work
at the time of the gale in the office
of the Rhode Island American, then
located in the third story of the
Old Coffee House, corner Market
square and North Water street,
(now Canal street.) About 10
o'clock the hurricane drove in two
or three of the windows, and the
printers accepted that demonstra-
tion as a notice to quit.
The Providence Directory was
first printed in 1824 by Brown &
Danforth, (H. H. Brown and Walter
R. Danforth); in 1826 by Carlile
& Brown, (Francis Y. Carlile); in
1828, '30, '32, '36, '38, '41, '44, '47, '50,
'53 and thereafter annually until 1860 by H. H. Brown. June 1, 1860,
Brown sold his interest in the Directory to Adams, Sampson & Co., of
Boston, who have continued to publish it since. Some changes in the
name of the firm have occurred.
Providence has had several weekly newspapers that depended upon
the revenue received from advertisements for their expenses, and were
distributed free to the public. The most notable one was the General
Advertiser, started in 1847 by Cornelius S. Jones, son of Josiah Jones.
It had an existence of more than 40 years.
Comparatively few books have been produced in Providence print-
ing offices. The publications of the city and state governments have
JOSIAH JONES
206
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
been the most important and also the most profitable. Few of the
periodicals issued have had either a healthy or extended existence.
The following is an incomplete list of the latter :
Liberty's Centinel. S. J. Williams. 1803.
Rhode Island Farmer. Weekly. David
Heaton and Benoni Williams. 1804-05.
Providence Centinel and War Chronicle.
Weekly. Herman B. and Daniel Man.
121-..
Rhode Island Literary Repository. Month-
ly. Isaac Bailey, editor. 1814.
Juvenile Gazette. Origen Bachelor. Wil-
liam H. Smith, successive editors. 1818.
Rhode Island Register. H. H. Brown.
1819.
Religious Intelligencer. Weekly. James D. .
Knowles, editor. May 13, 1820, to Nov.
4, 1820. Barber Badger. May 26,
1821-24.
Rhode Island Baptist. Allen Brown. 1823.
The Beacon. William S. Spear. 1823-26.
The Ladies' Magazine. Monthly. 1823.
Hopkinsian Magazine. Otis Thompson.
1824-40.
Christian Telescope. Rev. David Picker-
ing. Jacob Frieze. 1824-29. (Univer-
salist).
Town and Country. 1825. (Temperance).
The Ladies' Museum. Eaton W. Maxcy.
1825.
Religious Messenger. Weekly. Origen
Bachelor. 1825. James N. Seaman.
1826. William Goodell. 1827-28.
Literary Museum. Eaton W. Maxcy. 1826.
Literary Cadet and Saturday Evening Bul-
letin. Weekly. Smith & Parmenter.
1826. Semi-weekly. 1827-29.
Free Will Baptist Magazine. Quarterly.
Zalmon Tobey. 1826. Monthly. 1828-30.
Anti-Universalist. Origen Bachelor. 1827.
The Investigator and General Intelli-
gencer. James B. Yerrington. 1827-28.
Removed to Boston.
Gospel Preacher. David Pickering. 1827.
(Universalist.)
Juvenile Gazette. Weekly. Oliver Ken-
dall, Jr. 1828.
The Toilet or Ladies' Cabinet of Litera-
ture. Weekly. Owen G. Warren, Samuel
M. Fowler, successive editors. 1828-29.
The Original. Monthly. Frances H. Whip-
pie, editor. 1829.
Beacon Light. W. A. Brown. 1829.
The Brunonian. Monthly during college
year. 1829-31. Revived in 1868. Con-
ducted by the undergraduates.
The Little Genius. W. A. Brown. 1829.
Literary Subaltern. Semi-weekly. S. S.
Southworth, editor. William Marshall
and John S. Hammond, printers. Jan.
1, 1829. Weekly. June 30, 1829. J. W.
D. Hall and Brown Simmons. Oct. 2,
1829. Brown Simmons. Oct. 15, 1830-32.
The Olla Podrida. John Bisbee. 1830.
Juvenile Repository. Samuel S. Wilson.
1830.
Providence Free Press. Stearns & Whea-
ton. 1830. (Anti-Masonic.)
Chronicle of the Times. Semi-weekly.
Bennett H. Wheeler. 1831.
R. I. Journal and Sunday School and Bible
Class Advocate. Rev. David Benedict.
1831.
R. I. Temperance Advocate. Fortnightly.
Jos. A. Whitmarsh. 1833.
Literary Journal and Weekly Register of
Science and Fine Arts. Albert G. Greene,
editor. 1833-34.
City Gazette. Weekly. 1834.
The Constitutionalist. 1834. (Suffrage
extension).
New England Family Visitor and Literary
Journal. Weekly. Knowles & Bur-
roughs, publishers. 1834.
The Voice of the People. Mr. Doyle. 1834.
The Pupil's Monitor. Fortnightly. Silas
Weston. 1834.
Free Will Baptist Quarterly. 1835-56.
Removed to Dover, N. H.
The Light. Joseph A. Whitmarsh. 1835.
More Light. Jacob Frieze. 1835.
The Penny Post. Weekly. Samuel S.
Wilson. 1835.
The Weekly Visitor. Samuel S. Wilson.
1835.
Rhode Island Temperance Herald. Week-
ly. Charles Jewett, L. D. Johnson, Abel
Stevens, successive editors. 1838-40.
Providence Temperance Herald. 1838-39.
The Cradle of Liberty. Monthly. 1839.
(Anti-slavery.)
John the Baptist. John Tillinghast, edi-
tor. 1840-43. (Six Principle Baptist.)
Gospel Messenger. Weekly. Zephaniah
Baker, S. P. Landers, A. A. Davis, Har-
vey Bacon and Dunbar B. Harris were
at different times editors. 1840-43.
(Universalist.)
Gaspee Torchlight. Weekly. William R.
Watson, editor. 1840. (Campaign
paper — Whig. )
The Extinguisher. Weekly. Jacob Frieze,
editor. 1840. (Campaign paper — Demo-
crat. )
Cold Water Gazette. Wyllis Ames. 1840.
(Temperance campaign paper.)
The Samaritan. Samuel S. Ashley, Thomas
Tew, editors. Weekly and later fort-
nightly. 1841.
Narragansett Chief. Weekly. Joseph M.
Church. 1842.
The Suffrage Examiner. 1841. (Anti-
slavery. )
Christian Soldier. Fortnightly. J. Whit-
temore, T. H. Bachelor, editors. 1842-
43. (Free Will Baptist.)
Independent Weekly. W. S. Sherman. 1844.
Tribune -of the People. 1846.
R. I. Temperance Pledge. Amsbury &
Lincoln. 1847.
The Day Star. 1849-50.
Constellation. E. S. Hill, John Murphy,
Henry L. Tillinghast. 1850.
R. I. Educational Magazine. E. R. Potter,
editor. 1852-54.
Una. Monthly. Mrs. Paulina Wright.
1853-54. In the interest of women.
THE BOOK AND JOB SECTION
207
R. I. Freeman. Dunbar B. Harris. 1854-
57. (Anti-slavery.)
The Schoolmaster. Monthly. Rev. Robert
Allyn, editor. 1856. W. A. Mowry.
editor. 1857-74. Thomas W. Bicknell,
editor. 1874-75. Merged with N. E.
Journal of Education.
The Gleaner. 1855. High school students.
Bangs' Trumpet. Weekly. N. Bangs
Williams. 1857-58.
High School Magazine. 1858.
Providence Preacher. Monthly. Rev.
Thomas Williams. 1858-59.
Delphic Oracle. High school students. 1862.
Voice of the Truth. Monthly. J. H. Lons-
dale. 1864-73. (Religious.)
The Bibliomanias. S. S. Rider. 1867.
New World. Weekly. T. A. Carpenter.
1869-71.
R. I. Lantern. Weekly. 1870.
Three Links. G. T. Bradley, John C. Kerr.
1870.
Temple of Honor. Monthly. Ferrin &
Hammond. 1871-76. In the interest of
temperance.
New England Register. T. A. Carpenter.
1871. In the interest of mill operatives,
who were striving to obtain a 10-hour
day.
Freemasons' Repository. Weekly. Fer-
rin & Hammond. 1871. Monthly. E.
L. Freeman & Sons. 1882-1907.
Ours Illustrated. Monthly. Webb Broth-
ers & Co. 1872-73.
Yours. Weekly. Trumpler & Burchfleld.
1873.
Living Christian. Weekly. D. Schindler,
editor. 1873.
Herald of the Centennial. Monthly. By
Providence women in the interest of the
Centennial Exhibition. 1875.
Church Union. Edward E. Nickerson.
1875.
Town and Country. Weekly. S. B. Keach.
1875-79.
The Record. Weekly. Rev. W. G. Corn-
stock. 1875.
Weekly Visitor. (Catholic.) 1875. Dr.
Michael T. Walsh, editor. 1876. Provi-
dence Visitor. Incorporated 1881. Wil-
liam F. Kennefick. manager. 1897. James
I. Conway, manager. 1905-07.
Weekly Visitor. 1876. Removed to Cen-
tral Falls.
Providence Anzeiger. F. Rueckert. 1876.
Gustav Saacke. 1890-1997.
Odd Fellows' Register. Reynolds & Mac-
kinnon. 1877.
The Jeweler. Monthly. W. J. Pettis. 1877.
High School Budget. 1877.
Deutscher Anseiger. Weekly. Karl Peter-
man. 1878.
Providence Times. Weekly. W. H. Goffe.
1878.
The Cosmopolitan. Weekly. 1878-79.
The Parrott. Monthly. Porthouse, Carle-
ton & Goffe. 1878.
The Echo. 1879.
Providence Herald. Weekly. Brown &
Corbett (E. A.) 1879. A. D. Sawin.
1887. Now Corbett's Herald.
Confidential Reporter. Monthly. J. C.
Gooding. 1880.
Providence Indicator. Weekly. Claude
DeHaven. 1881-88.
The People. John F. Smith. 1881.
2V. E. Anseiger. C. C. Hentzmann. 1881.
Narragansett Historical Register. Monthly.
James N. Arnold. 1882-1891.
Household Magazine. Monthly. D. P.
Buker, Jr. 1882-86.
The Hypophet. Hiah school students.
1882-83.
R. I. Wochenblatt. Weekly. W. Alden-
kircher. 1883.
The Comet. 1883.
Art Folio. J. A. & R. A. Reid. 1883.
Book Notes. Sidney S. Rider. 1883-1907.
The Manufacturing Jeweler. Monthly. Al-
bert Ullman, John A. McCloy. 1883.
Fortnightly. Walter B. Frost. 1884-
90. Weekly. 1890-1907.
Buker's Illustrated Monthly. D. P. Buker,
Jr. 1884-94.
The Rhode Islander. Weekly. 1884-94.
The Helper. D. P. Buker. 1885.
R. I. Citizen. Benj. F. Evans. 1884-85.
The Outlook. Mary A. Babcock. 1885-
1905.
Missionary Helper. Mrs. M. M. Brewster.
1885-86.
Short Hand and Type Writing. Monthly.
1885.
R. I. Farmer. Weekly. F. E. Carbett.
1886-87.
Commercial Bulletin. Weekly. D. P.
Buker, Jr. 1886-90.
Black Board and Crayon. Quarterly. 1879-
81. Sunday School Superintendent.
Monthly. 1881. E. G. Taylor, editor.
1879-87. Miss L. O. Ordway, editor.
1887.
The Times. Robert Grieve. 1887-88.
(Railroad and steamboat guide.)
The Paper. Weekly. Charles G. Wilkins,
editor. 1888.
Rhode Island Republican. E. A. Corbett.
1887.
Foresters' Repository. Fortnightly. F. N.
Shaw. 1888.
Beulah Items. Monthly. Rev. F. A. Hil-
lery. 1888. Beulah Christian. 1892-
1904. Weekly. 1905.
Olneyville Times.. Weekly. Sibley &
Johnson. 1888-93. Edward F. Sibley.
1894-1907.
R. I. Military Journal. Monthly. Cqle-
man Wells. 1889.
Independent Citizen. Weekly. John H.
Larry, editor. 1889-98.
Board of Trade Journal. Little & Bos-
worth. 1889-93. Providence Journal of
Commerce. J. D. Hall, Jr., George A.
Wilson, Robert Grieve. 1893-98. Jour-
nal of Commerce and Board of Trade
Journal. 1899-1907.
Rental Guide. Lake, Shibley & Co. 1888.
B. S. Lake & Co. 1889-1907.
Tiden. Weekly. Dr. J. F. Haller. 1889.
William Hallender. 1891. (Swedish.)
Brown Magazine. Monthly. 1890. Con-
solidated with The Brunonian 1898.
The Critic. Weekly. E. A. Risley & Co.
1890.
Providence Ledger. Weekly. J. D. Hall,
Jr. 1890-91.
208
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
R. I. Military Journal. 1890-94.
The Watchman. Weekly. John Water-
man. 1890.
N. E. Torchlight. J. W. Henderson. 1890-
1907.
N. E. Wine Merchant and Brewers' Ga-
zette. F. E. Corbett. 1890-92.
Financial News. H. K. Stokes. 1890.
Church Messenger. • Monthly. . Miss Cora
A. Wells, editor. 1891. (Y. P. S. C. E.)
Pomona Herald. A. S. Fitz. 1891. (Ag-
riculture.)
Home Guard. Monthly. Mrs. E. T.
Smith. 1891-1900.
The World. Louis G. Phillips. 1891.
(Daily and Sunday.)
Brown Daily Herald. 1891-1907. Con-
ducted by the undergraduates.
About Town. Weekly. W. W. Spencer
1892-93.
R. I. Republican. Weekly. E. A. Cor-
bett. 1892-1907.
Roger Williams Herald. 1892.
R. I. Anti-Cruelty Journal. Monthly.
J. D. Hall, Jr. 1892.
Courrier du Rhode Island. Weekly. J. B.
de Vicq de Cumptich. 1892. (French.)
Providence Allehander. Weekly. 1892.
Framat. Weekly. M. Hulting & Co. 1893.
Le Philanthrope. Monthly. 1893. (French.)
The Church Bells. 1893.
Greater Providence Magazine. P. W.
Lovell. 1893.
Olneyville Tribune. Weekly. David E.
Parmenter. 1893-94.
Atlantic Medical Weekly. Frederick T.
Rogers. 1893-98.
R. I. Medical Science. Monthly. 1893-95.
Dimes and Dollars. Monthly. G. A.
Millay. 1893.
Providence Commercial Bulletin. J. D.
Hall & Co. 1894.
R. I. Israelite. Samuel Mason. 1894.
Narragansett Observer. H. E. Lewis.
1894.
Jewelry Magazine. Monthly. W. F. Teft.
1895.
Folket's Rost. Weekly. John Charholm.
1895-96.
The Pointer. John H. Larry. 1895-97.
German Evangelical Church Messenger.
Monthly. Rev. F. B. Cunz. 1895-96.
Faith and Works. Weekly. G G Fraser
1896-1900.
Weekly Messenger. C. E. Littlefield. 1896.
L'Aurora Novella. Weekly. Collano &
Evans. 1896.
N. 'E. Brewers' and Liquor Dealers' Jour-
nal. 1896.
Nursing World. Monthly. Harry O.
Brown, M. D. 1896.
L'Eco Del Rhode Island. Weekly. Fred-
erico Curzio. 1897. (Italian.)
Skandinavia. Thorsten Berzelius. 1897.
Arvid Janson. 1898. C. J. Ljangstrom.
1900-07.
Providence Triangle. Fortnightly. 1897-
98.
Jewelers' Herald. Weekly. Claflin &
Angell. 1898-99.
Manufacturers' Gazette. Albert Chaffee.
1898.
Club Life. Quarterly. A. A. Fraser.
1898-1907.
Providence Despatch. Weekly. E. A.
Corbett. 1898-1907.
Providence Herold. Weekly. W. Brend.
1898-99. (German.)
American Historical Register. 1899.
Providence Weekly Guide. W. E. Clark.
1899-1903.
Brown Alumni Monthly. Henry R.
Palmer, editor. 1900.
R. /. Picket. Monthly. F. E. Carpenter,
editor. 1900. (Sons of Veterans.)
Providence Medical Journal. Quarterly.
1900.
Providence Watchman. Rev. W. S. Hol-
land. 1900-03. (In the interest of col-
ored people.)
Svea. Weekly. Arvid Janson. 1900.
John S. Osterberg. 1901. Aron Matt-
son. 1902-07.
New England Woodman. Monthly. M. M.
Pierce. 1900-01.
The Sepiad. Monthly. 1901. (Women
students at Brown University.) Now a
quarterly.
Association Notes. Weekly. Alfred Ar-
mitage. 1901-07. (Y. M. C. A.)
Publicity. Monthly. 1902-03.
R. I. Advertiser. Monthly. J. S. Grisin-
ger. 1899-1906. F. R. Jelleff. 1907.
La Liberia. Weekly. F. Moracci. 1902.
Alfred Pisco. 1903-04. Vittorio Tala-
mini. 1905-07.
Providence Weekly Official Guide. 1904-
07.
Providence Anzeiger. Weekly. Dr. Felix
Hamburger. 1904-07.
The Bowler. Weekly. C. P. Shattuck.
1905.
Le Petit Journal. Weekly. J. S. Bowdon.
1905.
The State. Weekly. 1905-07.
N. E. Automobile Journal. Fortnightly.
1906-07.
Standard Weekly. Louis Blumenthal. 1906.
The Advance. 1907.
Le Courrier. Weekly. 1907.
Daily Trade Record. 1907.
The Union Man's Reference Guide. J. S.
Houle, editor. 1907.
The Union Worker Magazine. Clarence
Spooner. 1907.
R. I. Label League Bulletin. P. L. Murtha,
Charles H. Lee. 1907.
REMINISCENT
THE ORIGINAL NIGHT LUNCH MAN.
Walter Scott.
Walter Scott, newspaper pressman, veteran fireman and originator of the night
lunch wagon business, was born in Cumberland, R. I., Nov. 28, 1841. The family re-
moved to Providence when Walter was very young. At the age of eleven he left school
to go to work, as his father had become blind. Scott peddled candy, fruit and news-
papers, going into the jewelry and machine shops, foundries and printing offices. News
was brought from Europe by ships in those days, and the Crimean war and Indian mutiny
caused the newspapers to issue extras, which the boys would sell, crying three or five
days later from Europe, as the case might be. Gradually Scott added little pies, sand-
wiches and coffee to his bill of fare, until in 1858, the morning newspaper printers in-
duced him to visit the composing rooms at midnight and serve lunch.
He learned to run the printing presses, and all through the Civil War he was depended
upon for work when some pressman was sick or extra work was to be done. He had been
rejected by the army doctors because of defective eyesight. In the early days of the
war an extra Journal, half -sheet, was issued four times a day, but when George W. Dan-
ielson came to the paper, in 1863, the Evening Bulletin took its place. Scott worked on
it more or less, and in July, 1863, had his left hand caught in the gear of the double
cylinder press and badly mangled. The power was not on, but his assistant, Abel Head,
threw the press off the centre when Scott had his hand in it, setting an ink roller. With
presence of mind he calmly said, "Abe, turn that press back a little," so that Abe would
not get rattled and turn the wrong way. When free, Scott walked around to where Dan-
ielson was making up a "form," the blood spouting from the severed artery. The sight
was too much for Danielson and he fainted. Scott would soon have fainted, too, but Fred
Ryder, the mail clerk, grabbed his arm as hard as he could, pressed his thumbs on the
broken artery, and stopped the bleeding as much as possible until a surgeon arrived. Al-
though the wound took four months to heal, Scott was back at work in three days with
one arm in a sling.
At this time Scott was a member of hand engine Union 3, housed on Page street,
and when that company was disbanded to put in a steamer, he joined Ocean 7, on Rich-
mond street, remaining a member while that company existed.
When important war news came on Sunday, Scott would arrange with Danielson to
get out an extra at his own risk, paying a certain sum per hundred for the papers and
doing the press work himself. He would then distribute them to the newsboys, some-
times on shares, and when the city was supplied, he would hire a carriage and go through
the towns of the Blackstone Valley. When Lee surrendered, he tried to sell a big edition
and got stuck on 1400 copies.
When the Morning Star was started Scott took a regular situation as pressman on
it. At this time he was an active member of Providence Typographical Union, of which
he is now an honorary member. He stopped working as a pressman when he bought his
first lunch wagon. At the beginning he had not intended to sell from the wagon, but to
use it to carry his baskets and coffee from place to ploce. After a while he would find a
few persons waiting to get a lunch from him when he came out. Restaurants were not
open after 8 p. m. at that time. Finally he found it most profitable to have his wagon (a
covered express) stand in one place, with a boy to attend it while he visited other cus-
tomers. It stood in front of the Barton block for 16 years, when the Journal occupied
that building. Danielson usually left the office at 2 a. m. He preferred to ride to his
home on Broadway in Scott's wagon than to walk or to take one of the night hacks, and
for seven years, until within four weeks of his death, he rode home in Scott's lunch
wagon. Danielson had great sympathy for his employes and knew them all intimately.
But he was very much shocked at one time, when one whom he trusted greatly went on
a spree and came to him with a story that his wife was dead and borrowed $50. Next
day the wife came to the office in search of her husband.
Night lunch wagons increased faster than the business warranted. The demand
caused one firm in Worcester, Mass., to go into the business of building. A wagon that
customers could go into was produced, and then the business spread all over the country.
But the beginning was with Scott's old covered express wagon.
210
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
THE BIRTH OF THE LINOTYPE.
John Burger.
In the year 1886 there was shipped from Baltimore to the office of the New York
Tribune the first Mergenthaler linotype machine that was ever built. It was the inven-
tion of Ottmar Mergenthaler, a watchmaker by trade and a mechanical genius of great
ability. It had been on exhibition in Baltimore. The machine was different in construc-
tion but not in principle from the linotype of to-day. It had a vertical single magazine,
not interchangeable ; a mold which would cast but one size of body and up to 22 ems
measure; only one-letter matrices, largest
face 11 point, delivered by an air-blown at-
tachment. The first 12 machines built were
installed in the offices of the New York
Tribune and Louisville Courier-Journal.
These were followed by the manufacture
of a second lot of 100, which were distri-
buted between the Chicago Daily News,
Washington Post, New York Tribune and
Louisville Courier-Journal to the number
of 65, leaving 35 on hand at the factory.
Up to this point it certainly could not be
claimed that the machine had proved either
a pecuniary or practical success. But sev-
eral of the larger stockholders were also
influential newspaper proprietors and they
were determined to fully test the labor-sav-
ing device. It was at a time when the suc-
cess of the machine looked very dubious
that the management of the Providence
Journal decided to install a battery. The
shipping, setting up and initial operation
was looked after by one of the stockholders
of the Mergenthaler Company in person
and no expense was spared in the effort to
make a good showing. Up to this time all
machines manufactured had been installed
in offices of stockholders, and the Provi-
dence Journal was the first disinterested
newspaper to experiment with them. The
first few months' operation of the machines in Providence was neither encouraging to
the Mergenthaler Company nor satisfactory to the management of the Journal. It was
realized that the discarding of the machines by the Journal, on account of impracti-
cability, would mean at least temporary failure and heavy financial loss to the stock-
holders. Changes were instituted in the Journal composing room with gratifying results,
and in a short time the Providence Journal was credited with being the pioneer establish-
ment to demonstrate the success of the Mergenthaler typesetting machine as a substitute
for the old method of hand composition. From that time dates the now almost universal
use of the Mergenthaler linotype machine, those now in operation being known as the
second model, the first model being discarded.
UNACCEPTABLE APPRECIATION.
Joseph W. Belcher.
A picturesque old printer who used to work occasionally for the R. I. Printing Co.
was William Bittman. The last heard of him he was enjoying a pension, having been a
soldier in the Civil War, and was spending his winters at Los Angeles, Cal., and his sum-
mers at Denver, Col. Bittman would occasionally imbibe too much. On one of these
occasions he was unable to work for several days, and the foreman, John A. Belcher, sent
John E. Hurley (then apprentice) to Bittman's house to see what the matter was, as
every man was needed to get out some hurried work. On his return, Hurley said he
found the old man in bed and pretty sick from the effects of his intemperance. He tried,
but ineffectually, to conceal the cause of his sickness. Then, dropping all reserve, he
pleaded with Hurley to deceive the foreman, evidently feeling afraid he would lose his
job if the truth were known. " Don't give me away, John," whined the old man. " Tell
him a big lie, John ; you can do it ! "
THE FIRST LINOTYPE
THE BOOK AND JOB SECTION 211
A WESTERNER'S VISIT IN 1885.
Franklin Heimbach.
I worked in Providence in the spring of 1885. Charles P. Stiles, Charley Ayres, Daniel
Wilson and William A. Orahood (killed by cars) were there together. We all worked on
the Evening Telegram. Its compositors were a fine lot of gentlemen case-holders.
Richard J. Faulkner was chairman, and in handing out copy mornings, if the regular was
not there when time was called, he would hand the "take" to the nearest "sub." This
beat anything I had ever seen. If the regular came up the stairs at that moment, he was
lost and had to go back again, and the chances are he would go right across the street to
the old Englishman's and get himself a glass of ale to drown his bad luck. We were all
Western printers, and it was some time before we could get used to drinking ale, with
scarcely a six-point foam to it.
They used to play policy there then, and have the numbers telegraphed from Louis-
ville, Ky. Well, one morning we were in the old Englishman's retreat, and I suggested
that three of us subs put in 10 cents apiece and each play the number of the " slug " he
worked for the day previous, as we had all worked. I worked on 5, Stiles on 19 and a
gentleman whose name I forget on 26. That evening we were all sitting in the afore-
said Englishman's when another printer came and wanted to look at our ticket, saying
that he thought we had won. He had been there in the morning and heard us making
up the "gig." I had the ticket and hurried around to the policy shop (as we were about
out of change then, ) and what do you think ? Our three numbers were in the first five
numbers on the blackboard. We got a dollar for every cent invested, so I came back to
the saloon with $30. The third party to the investment was asleep in a chair, and we
could not wake him up. So we had several rounds of drinks immediately, and I told the
old Englishman that the sleeper had won $5 (instead of $10), and when he woke up to
give it to him. We had use for the money, and I did not see how a man asleep could
appreciate more than $5, because he could not buy fast enough.
WHEN BASEBALL WAS EPIDEMIC.
John J. Dillon.
In the very early 80's the press work for the Evening Telegram was done by E. A.
Johnson & Co., while the type was set in an adjoining room. "Billy" Barbour was fore-
man, about eight compositors were employed, and for furniture there was the regulation
ink roller, a marble slab and the stands, cases and type. The noon hour in those days
was not so short as it is at present in evening newspaper composing rooms, and Johnson's
typos and those of the Telegram spent part of their nooning in playing ball in the com-
posing room of E. A. Johnson & Co. The ball field was a space not more than 20 square
feet in area, with the upright boiler of a Baxter engine at short stop, while the first base-
man was perched on a stove, but a few feet away from the home plate. Almost every one
had the baseball craze at that time, Providence was in the National League and its team
was well up among the leaders. One would think that the old office sponge with the water
squeezed out would have served for the ball ; but no, nothing less than a $1.25 league ball
would do. The bat was a piece of gas pipe one inch in diameter and about 2 y2 feet
long. The players generally, with the exception of Jim Russell, were careful in batting
and throwing the ball. It was not necessary, nor was it allowable, to bat the ball very hard.
But when it was Jim's turn to bat, ye gods, he would lunge at the ball as if he were in a
10-acre lot, notwithstanding the wild protestations of Johnson (who was as big a crank
on baseball as the rest, forgetting his dinner in order to be in the game) to "for
heaven's sake, Jim, bat light." Sometimes Jim would " bat light," but would soon forget
and let loose again, and then biff, bang, the ball would go against the boiler or wall with
everybody ducking. One day Jim had an unusual batting fever on. He swung at the
ball, fouled, and the ball went bounding along the floor towards Weybosset street and out
the window onto the street. It struck a pedestrian squarely on top of the head, and by
the time the bewildered man became aware of how it happened, a number of heads were
poked out of the windows, four stories above, and the voice of Jim rang out with, " Hey,
mister, hold that ball until I come down."
Business in Reids' was rather dull one summer, especially in the press room. Some,
body had to be laid off in turn a day at a time. This was a duty Fred Vinal, the foreman-
did not like. One day he went up to Bill M. and said :
" Bill, have you a clam rake ? "
" No, by gosh ! " says Bill, " but I can get one."
"Well," says Vinal, "get it, take a day off to-morrow and go clamming."
212
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
THE DOCTOR'S STORIES.
E. B. Rose.
On a Sunday when the Morning Herald was printed in the Aylesworth building on
North Main street, on looking over his force, the Doctor (E. B. Rose), found that every
regular had a "sub" on, and that every "sub" was drunk, except the "Big Injun" (James
Ryan). The Roger Williams Hotel was located across the street, and was then a noted
Sunday resort for those in search of liquid refreshments. Regulars were sent for and the
"subs" were discharged. The latter immediately started to "frog" it out of town. Al-
though sober, the anticipation of pleasures in store for the "subs" was too much for the
"Injun," and about 5 in the afternoon he came to the Doctor and said: "I believe I will
'frog' it, too, Doctor," and he quit, although it meant permanent disbarment from the
office. In the evening some gentlemen who
had been conducting a temperance meeting
in East Greenwich came to the office with
a two-column report of the meeting. The
Doctor was exasperated with the day's ex-
periences, and said to one of the temper-
ance men, "Pretty thing to be going down
to East Greenwich to talk temperance, when
all my men have been made drunk in
Providence." Inquiry led to a disclosure
of conditions at the Roger Williams Hotel
and thereafter printers were turned from
its doors on the Sabbath.
On another occasion when the Herald
was printed in the same place there were
two or three men off without "subs."
Billy Barbour was one of the delinquents.
He was reported as having lost part of a
finger. About 10 o'clock Nelson Boyle came
in on a friendly visit. He was then ticket
agent for the Bristol Railroad and stationed
at Fox Point. He had a funny story : "Billy
Barbour and Tom Allen were having a great
game of 'peek-a-boo' around the Phenix
building." When he heard Doctor's side he
wanted to take it back. It was too late.
Barbour would have to find a new job.
Boyle was induced to work the balance of
the night, although he had $700 of the rail-
road company's money in his pockets, and
was in fear of being robbed.
When the Herald was printed in the Crabb building, junction Peck and Dyer streets,
Francis E. Kelly, now of Woonsocket, at one time held a "frame" there. One day there
was a lot of profanity in the direction of Kelly's "frame" and Doctor went there to in-
vestigate. "Doctor, I have been trying to read this copy for 15 minutes and I can't get
started." It was copy written by Mr. Bowers, afterwards City Editor of the N. Y. Trib-
une, and was very blind. Not a word could be deciphered. " Frank, put your coat on
and take a walk around the block for 15 minutes, including something warm, and then
come back," was Doctor's advice. It was followed. The copy was taken to Mr. Bowers,
who fixed it so it could be read, and Frank set it when he got back from his walk.
George W. Danielson had occasion to send a telegram. In the telegraph office it
could not be read and was sent around the room until it reached the manager, Mr. Brad-
ford. He failed to decipher it and sent it back to Danielson, with the comment, "that
the writer should take a course at night school and study penmanship." When Danielson
was told this he remaked: "There is a night school around the corner on North Main
street where reading is taught."
E. B. ROSE
THE JOURNEYMEN
CHARLES H. ABBOTT — Born Salem,
Mass., Nov. 2, 1867 ; learned printing- in
Boston ; came to Providence in 1895 as
foreman for Snow & Farnum, which posi-
tion he now holds.
JAMES ABBOTT — Born Woburn, Mass.,
Sept. 12, 1866 ; learned printing- in Lynn,
Mass. ; admitted by card to Providence
Union October, 1889 ; since transferred to
Pressmen's Union.
ARUNAH SHEPHERDSON ABELL —
Founder of the Baltimore Sun, died April
19, 1888, at Baltimore, in the 82d year of
his age. His death was the result of
gradual decay of the vital powers, due to
advanced age, though he was confined to
his room only two weeks during- his last
ARUNAH SHEPHERDSON ABELL
illness. Mr. Abell was born in Rehoboth,
Mass., now East Providence, R. I., Aug.
10, 1806. He received the elements of a
plain education, and at the age of 14
years began life as a clerk. He subse-
quently learned the printing trade in the
office of the Providence Patriot. He after-
ward went to Boston, where he worked at
his trade, and then to New York city,
where he formed a business connection
with William M. Swain and A. H. Sim-
mons, both practical printers like him-
self, with the view of establishing a daily
newspaper. They entered into articles of
agreement Feb. 29, 1836, and decided to
start their business in Philadelphia. It
was at first intended to call the new
paper The Times, but on the suggestion of
Mr. Abell the name of The Public Ledger
was substituted. The first number of The
Public Ledger appeared Friday, March
25, 1836. When the success of this ven-
ture seemed to be assured, Mr. Abell,
with the assent of his partners, went to
Baltimore, where on the 17th of May.
1837, he founded The Sun, which was also
successful from the start. Mr. Abell iden-
tified himself with the conduct and man-
agement of The Sun. He sold his interest
in The Public Ledger in 1864, and four
years later became the sole owner of The
Sun.
In the management of The Sun and
carrying out its objects, he concentrated
his personal ambitions. It was his life
work — the work in which he saw the
fulfillment of the ideas which he had
announced in the beginning as controlling
its policy — the furtherance of the com-
mon good. No other occupation, dignity
or honor had any attraction for him.
During his long and honorable career in
Baltimore he contributed greatly to the
growth and beautifying of the city. He
was an intelligent and earnest promoter
of many important mechanical inventions
by which the art of printing has been so
much advanced and the field of news-
paper enterprise widened. The Sun was
printed on the first rotary printing
machine, the invention of Hoe. Mr. Abell
personally and in his paper took the lead
in supporting and promoting that marvel
of modern times, the electric telegraph.
The first document of any length trans-
mitted over the experimental telegraph
line between Washington and Baltimore
was the President's Message, which was
telegraphed to and published in The Sun
with an accuracy that established all the
claims which had been made for the
wonderful invention of Morse.
Mr. Abell married in 1838 Mary, the
daughter of John Fox. of Peekskill, N. Y.
Mrs. Abell died in 1859, leaving a large
family of children. On May 17. 1887.
when he celebrated the semi-centennial
of The Sun, he associated his sons —
Edwin F. Abell, George W. Abell and
Walter R. Abell — with himself as co-
partners.
The sons are now all dead. Edwin F..
the eldest, died a few days after the great
fire which destroyed The Sun's iron build-
ing, which was the first iron building-
erected in the world.
Arunah S. Abell left an estate valued
at many millions. He was buried in
Greenmount Cemetery, Baltimore, April
21. 1888.
The Sun is now conducted by his grand-
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
sons, Walter W. Abell, Arunah S. Abell
and Charles S. Abell.
The Abell family is mentioned in Reho-
both (Mass.) history as early as 1654,
when Robert Abell kept an "ordinary" in
that town. Capt. Robert Abell, grand-
father of A. S. Abell, was a Revolution-
ary soldier, and the latter's father, Capt.
Caleb Abell, was in the War of 1812.
The Captain was elected Town Clerk of
Rehoboth in 1801, and held the office
until 1812, when the town of Seekonk was
set off from Rehoboth, and he fell within
the limits of the former place. Seekonk
continued him in the office until his death,
and his son, Thompson, followed him in
the position. The old Abell homestead is
located in East Providence Centre. The
Abell burial lot is in tue old Rumford
Cemetery.
Mr. Abell was always a friend of the
Typographical Union ; and from the time
of the first issue of The Sun to the day
of his death, no non-union printer was
ever employed in either the composing
room of the paper or the job office oper-
ated in connection with it. His successors
have followed his example and the Bal-
timore Sun is the oldest continuous em-
ployer of union printers in the United
States.
Baltimore Typographical Union was
organized in 1831. One of the old-timers
tells of an interview which he had with
Mr. Abell while the Civil War was raging
in regard to an increase in the rate
for composition. The Sun was inclined to
favor the South, and its columns were
closely scrutinized daily by the military
authorities of the United States Govern-
ment for some evidences of treason, and
the proprietor was frequently threatened
with suppression. It appears that the
committeeman from the Union entered the
sanctum just as the Provost Marshal took
his departure. The committeeman made
known his business at once, and Mr.
Abell replied : "Between the Provost
Marshal and the Baltimore Typographi-
cal Union it is hard to tell who does own
the Sun. However, you may tell the men
up-stairs to go to work at the advanced
rate and A. S. Abell will see that they
are paid off on Saturday."
Mr. Abell never refused to pay an ad-
vance in the scale of wages established
by the Typographical Union nor made a
request for a reduction in wages.
WILLIAM ABELL — Born Huntington
county, N. J., Nov. 12, 1836; learned
printing at Flemington, N. J., beginning
in 1851 ; came to Providence June 1, 1870,
first working for A. Crawford Greene and
later on the Journal, and losing his situa-
tion by the strike of 1875. In October,
1876, he became foreman of the Taunton
Gazette, holding the position until May,
1878. He then returned to Providence
and was foreman of the Rhode Island
Democrat and of the Mail, and worked
on the Press and for eight years on the
Weekly Visitor. Before coming to Provi-
dence he published a weekly paper in
Clinton, N. J., 1858-1862, and in Hack-
ettstown, N. J., 1862-1867. He also pub-
lished a weekly paper in East Providence
for a short time in 1903. Mr. Abell joined
Providence Union by card Dec. 9, 1871.
He was financial secretary in 1874, and
again from 1895 to 1903, and in 1905 until
Nov. 26 of that year; delegate in 1898;
President in 1894. He is a resident of
this city and active in union work.
JOSEPH Z. A. ADAM — Learned print-
ing in Manchester, N. H. ; initiated into
Providence Union April 29, 1900 ; has
worked in Woonsocket and Pawtucket.
ROBERT A. ADAMS — Born St. Bos-
wells, Roxburghshire, Scotland, November,
1870 ; served apprenticeship of seven
years at Hawick, Roxburghshire, Scot-
land, beginning August, 1883; initiated
into Scottish Typographical Association
March, 1890; admitted to Providence
Union October, 1906, and has worked in
this city since.
SAMUEL ADAMS — Died New York
city, Oct. 17, 1841, the victim of a sensa-
tional murder. He was born in Providence
about 1811, learned printing here in the
office of Smith & Parmenter, and at the
time of the murder was in business in
New York city as a book publisher. In
attempting to collect a debt from John
C. Colt, the latter killed Adams. Colt was
convicted of the crime and sentenced to
be hanged, but committed suicide a short
time before the hour appointed for execu-
tion.
JOSHUA ADDY — Born England, May
9, 1863 ; learned printing at Knight &
Howland's, New Bedford, Mass., begin-
ning in 1880; initiated into Providence
Union Jan. 25, 1885, and worked here
until 1890; at present located in New
Bedford.
EDWIN ADYE — Printer, died Warwick,
R. I., Oct. 2, 1817, aged 22 years. — Provi-
dence Patriot.
BENJAMIN T. ALBRO — Born Provi-
dence May 23, 1812; died South Scituate
Nov. 30, 1873. His ancestors owned a
farm on what is now called Federal Hill,
He learned the printing trade. In 1836
Mr. Albro lived on Atwell's avenue ; in
1840 he was in business for himself at
No. 9 Market square, from which office
the first number of the Dorrite paper, the
New Age and Constitutional Advocate, was
issued; in 1844 his office was at No. 2
Canal street; and from 1847 to 1850 at
No. 5 Canal street, on the present site of
the Central Hotel. It was while he was at
this latter stand that he had as a "devil"
a lad who later became one of the best
known* printers and newspaper men in
the city, Henry B. Ladd, the famous
"Pica." In 1857 he engaged in the boot
and shoe business at No. 119 North Main
THE JOURNEYMEN
street, and after the Civil War he re-
moved to South Scituate, where he owned
a farm adjoining the . large Thomas W.
Field estate. Hare he was killed by being
thrown from his wagon by the sudden
starting up of a vicious horse he was driv-
ing. He was buried in the North Burial
Ground, Providence.
ELI ALFORD — Born Manchester, Eng-
land, Nov. 21, 1870 ; learned printing at
office of George Falkner & Sons of that
place, beginning in 1884 ; worked in sev-
eral printing offices in Manchester and
other places in England ; deposited travel-
ling card with Providence Union 1896, and
has worked in Providence at Snow &
Farnham's, Remington Printing Co., Jour-
nal of Commerce, E. A. Johnson, J. C.
Hall and Providence News ; has also
worked in Boston ; at present employed in
the "make-up" department of the Evening
Bulletin. Elected recording secretary of
No. 33 for the years 1904, '05, '06 and '07 ;
I. T. U. delegate in 1906 ; N. E. A. P. T.
delegate 1901.
F. L. ALLEN — Born 1879 ; learned
printing in Providence and was initiated
into No. 33 May 27, 1900.
JOHN W. ALLEN — Born Lewiston, Me.,
March 12, 1866 ; learned printing at Port-
land, Me., beginning in 1878; admitted to
Providence Union by card at July meet-
ing, 1905 ; participated in the effort for
eight-hour day in 1906 ; now night ad man
on Journal.
ISRAEL AMSBURY — Died Feb. 15,
1887, in his 73d year, in Poland, N. Y.,
where he had resided for the last three or
four years of his life. He had occupied
a very prominent part in the printing
trade of Providence, beginning in 1842 as
partner in the firm of Church & Amsbury,
publishers of the Evening Chronicle ; in
1844 he was interested in the publication
of the Daily Transcript; in 1847 member
of the firm of Amsbury & Lincoln, which
published the R. I. Temperance Pledge ;
in 1853 partner in firm of Greene, Ams-
bury & Co., publishers of the Daily Trib-
une ; in 1855 he worked at 24 Westmin-
ster street; in 1856 and 1857 was foreman
of the Tribune, and for about 20 years
before he retired from business was fore-
man of the book and job office of Hiram
H. Thomas & Co., afterward the Provi-
dence Press Co. He was secretary of the
first organization of printers in this city
in 1854 ; initiated into Providence Union
Sept. 8, 1860 ; vice president in 1860 and
1861 ; President and also delegate in 1862.
WILLIAM N. AMSBURY — Died Provi-
dence Aug. 10, 1849, in his 45th year. In
1844 he was employed at the Transcript
office.
FREDERICK B. AMSDEN — Born Chico-
pee, Mass., Jan. 31, 1850; learned printing
in book room of Springfield Republican,
beginning 1866; worked at Knoxville,
Tenn., Chicago, 111., Adrian, Mich., Toledo,
O., Boston, Mass. ; on Providence Journal
for about 18 years; became a member of
Providence Union by card Jan. 10, 1874 ;
was initiated into the reorganized Union
Feb. 28, 1886 ; at present employed at
Franklin Press.
LAWRENCE ANDERSON — Born Jul-
land, Denmark, Aug. 11, 1885 ; came to the
United States in 1890 ; learned printing at
J. C. Hall's and Perry Printing Co., be-
ginning in 1901 ; came out of the Perry
Printing Co. in the eight-hour strike and
was initiated into Providence Union in
January, 1906.
LINDSAY ANDERSON — Born Glasgow,
Scotland, Dec. 19, 1839 ; learned printing
in office of Paterson (N. J. ) Guardian,
beginning in 1854 ; came to Providence in
1859 and worked for Hammond & Angell
and at Greene's on the Pendulum until he
enlisted in the Civil War ; after the war he
returned to printing at Greene's, but in
1865 went into the restaurant business and
for more than thirty years conducted one
of the best restaurants in the city.
CHARLES E. ANDREWS — Admitted to
Providence Union by card Feb. 27, 1884 ;
worked on Journal until 1889, when he
went to Boston, where he is at present
employed on the Transcript.
ALBERT N. ANGELL — Born Olney-
ville, then known as "The Hollow," Dec.
21, 1822 ; died Providence April 17, 1901.
He began to learn printing in the Journal
job office April 3, 1839, and finished his
apprenticeship in the newspaper office,
where he continued to work 29 years; he
had been gradually purchasing shares in
the Journal job office until in 1868 he was
sole proprietor, when he assumed the man-
agement of that office and continued in
that position until 1887. He then sold the
job office and returned to work at the
case. He was treasurer of the first print-
ers' society known to exist in this city, in
1854.
EDWARD T. ANGELL — This is his own
story as told to a Journal reporter Sept.
3, 1906, the 40th anniversary of his begin-
ning work on the paper :
"The 26th of next March I will be 67,
and I have lived all the time in this
State. I went to school in this city and in
the country — to the Scituate Seminary, a
boarding school.
"When I was 18 I started in to learn
the printing trade, and began at the Jour-
nal job office on Washington row. After
serving my time I went to Newport and
then came back to this city and worked
on the Post. Next I tried the New Eng-
land Diadem, a weekly temperance paper.
I set type in B. N. Sherman's office in
Pawtucket, on the Morning Mirror in this
city, the Kent County Atlas and the Provi-
dence Tribune.
"About the time I first began the trade
IV
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
I joined the fire department, almost as
soon as it was started. I used to run
with the boys and stayed with them until
pay was received for services, when I left,
as that was the time when I came on the
Journal and I couldn't attend to it.
"The first piece of work the foreman of
the Journal gave me was an article from
the London Times. It was about the great
race for the America's cup. (This was in
1852, whan he subbed for a regular.) It
was nearly a column in length and I got
it all. In those days the man at the case
set the entire article, big or little, just
as it happened to run. If he needed as-
sistance, whan some of the other men
were through with their work they would
set some of the last end of the copy for
him."
Sept. 3, 1896, the employes in the Jour-
nal composing room presented Ned with a
large and handsomely decorated meer-
schaum pipe, with a yard or more of plug
tobacco. Everybody gathered about the
old man as he curiously looked around on
the circle of his fellow workers. This
speech was read by one of the men :
"In view of the fact that you have been
employed on the Journal for a period of
two score years, and to commemorate the
occasion, your fellow employes have dele-
gated me to present to you on their behalf
this beautiful meerschaum pipe, with the
hope that the only smoking you do will be
done in this world. We also hope that you
will be very careful of it, as the best
medical authorities, including Drs. Rose
and Eddy, say that 'hitting the pipe' is
very injurious to the health. In conclusion
we wish you many years of happiness."
Ned was initiated into Providence Union
Dec. 9, 1891. He died June 26, 1902, in
his 73d year. Interment was at the North
Burial Ground.
JOHN W. ANGELL — Born Smithfield,
R. I., Sept. 17, 1823; died Central Falls
April 7, 1890 ; learned printing in the office
of Wheeler, Jones & Co., Providence, and
worked in this city at the Journal job
office until 1863, when he went to Central
Falls, with E. L. Freeman, remaining with
Mr. Freeman until his death. The latter
wrote of Mr. Angell as follows : "John W.
Angell was as good an all-round job printer
as I ever met with and as likely a man as
ever walked."
B. E. APPLEBEE — Died Hartford,
Conn., March 12, 1897. He was admitted
to Providence Union by card at the July
meeting, 1887.
GEORGE ARENSBERG — Born Pitts-
burg, Pa., and in his early boyhood earned
his living as a newsboy. He learned print-
ing on the Dispatch and at the age of
fifteen he made application for member-
ship in Pittsburg Union and was rejected
on account of his youth. A year later he
was admitted and soon after began his
travels. His first stopping place was New
Orleans, where the Union would not admit
him, deeming him illegally a member by
reason of his youthful appearance. Failing
to get employment, he worked his passage
to Memphis as a cabin boy, where he
obtained employment on the Bulletin. He
next turned up in Louisville, where he
remained 18 months. He returned to his
native city and worked on the Commer-
cial, and afterward on The Paper until
the latter suspended publication. In Wash-
ington, D. C., we find him next — working
on the Patriot until its suspension. He
went to New York in 1869, where he ob-
tained a situation on the New York Times.
He had at this time secured a widespread
notoriety for fast typesetting, and Mr.
George Howe, at that time employed on
the Times, soon after his arrival chris-
tened him "The Velocipede," and he was
never afterward able to part company with
the title. While employed on the Times
he set the match against time which made
him famous — 2064 ems in one hour.
From New York he went to Philadel-
phia ; then he returned to Pittsburg. He
then visited Cleveland, Toledo and Cin-
cinnati. He held a situation as copy-cutter
on the Cincinnati Enquirer and was one of
that office's "Big Ten" who challenged any
number of printers from one to ten from
any office in the United States to a match
at typesetting. From Cincinnati he went
to Louisville and Chicago, thence to Cin-
cinnati again. He then took an extended
tour through the East, visiting all the
principal cities and towns, receiving flat-
tering notices of typesetting ability.
He visited Providence in 1882 and also
in 1884. Aug. 27 of the latter year he
deposited his card with Providence Union ;
returned to New York city in 1885, where
he worked on the Times and resided until
the time of his death, which occurred at
Bellevue Hospital, New York city, on
Wednesday, July 28, 1888.
His best public records are as follows :
New York Times office, Feb. 19, 1870, 2064
ems, minion, 17 ems to lower case alpha-
bet, 23 2-3 ems to line (allowed to count
24), break line to each stick, not empty-
ing sticks. New York Sun office, a few
weeks later, 1800 ems minion, very lean,
in 59 minutes 30 seconds. Philadelphia,
March 27, 1870, time 1 hour, type nonpa-
reil, 15 ems to lower case alphabet, meas-
ure 36 ems wide, five break lines, equalling
two full lines of blank; 49 lines by 36
ems, 1764 ems. Philadelphia, May 10,
1871, he won the solid silver stick offered
by R. S. Menamin in the international
contest, setting in one hour 1822 ems of
solid nonpareil, 16 ems to lower case al-
phabet, 27 ems measure.
HENRY A. ARMINGTON— Died Provi-
dence June 18, 1895 ; learned printing in
the office of the Rumford Chemical Works,
beginning in 1868, and worked there until
his death.
ARTHUR ARMSTRONG — Born Salem,
N. J., Dec. 27, 1870; learned printing in
THE JOURNEYMEN
office of National Standard, Salem, N. J.,
came to Providence 1893; joined No. 33
Feb. 24, 1901 ; now on Tribune.
FRANK W. ARMSTRONG — Born Provi-
dence Aug. 22, 1869 ; learned printing in
office of the Providence Press and worked
in this city from 1889 to 1894; now
located in New York city.
JOHN W. ARMSTRONG — Born Wheel-
ing, W. Va., Aug. 12, 1852 ; learned print-
ing on Wheeling Intelligencer, beginning
in 1868; admitted to Providence Union by
card January, 1887 ; has left printing and
is now a member of the International
Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, lo-
cated in New York city.
ALVIN S. ARNOLD — Died Providence
Dec. 30, 1862, in his 62d ysar ; he began
work on the Journal in September, 1848,
and continued in that office for a number
of years.
ALVIN S. ARNOLD, JR. — Died Provi-
dence Nov. 3, 1865, in his 38th year; he
learned printing on the Republican Her-
ald ; initiated into Providence Union Aug.
8, 1857 ; had worked on the Journal for a
score of years before his death. His father
was Alvin S. Arnold, also a printer.
GEORGE O. ARNOLD — Died Provi-
dence Oct. 29, 1885, aged 64 years; his
name appears in the 1850 Directory as a
printer, and until 1856, when he kept a
periodical depot at 178 North Main street.
GEORGE TAFT ARNOLD — Died Provi-
dence March 8, 1874, aged 49 years; h3
began work on the Journal in August,
1846, and continued there, with occasional
absences, until his death. He was a chas-
ter member of Providence Typographical
Union in 1857.
LEWIS L. M. ARNOLD (Deacon) —
Born Providence in March, 1833 ; began
to learn printing in the office of the Daily
Post, but left to go to sea. After spending
several years In the coasting trade he
returned to printing, working in the job
office of Henry Tillinghast, on Market
square, and also on the Norwich Bulletin.
He served in the Navy during the Civil
War ; was a petty officer on the Hartford
when that vessel was Farragut's flagship,
and was in her during the passage of
Forts Jackson and St. Philip on the Mis-
sissippi, below New Orleans. He returned
to printing again in 1864 in the Journal
composing room, remaining there the bal-
ance of his life. The sobriquet of '"Dea-
con," by which he was known to hundreds
of the craft, was given to him by George
T. Arnold for the quiet, sober way in
which he went about his duties. In emer-
gencies he often acted as foreman of the
Journal. He was initiated into Provi-
dence Union Feb. 11, 1871. He died at the
Rhode Island Hospital Jan. 12, 1885, in
the Henry B. Anthony free bad.
CHARLES L. F. ATKINSON — Born
Newport, R. L, Jan. 15, 1833; learned
printing with James Atkinson in that city ;
worked in Providence in 1869 ; died in
Newport Feb. 7, 1892.
JAMES H. ATKINSON — Died at the
R. I. Hospital Sept. 22, 1904, aged 78
years. He was the oldest son of Hon.
James Atkinson, for several years Mayor,
and at one time Postmaster of Newport.
On his mother's side he was related to
Gov. Wanton, and was a cousin of Mrs.
Sarah Helen Whitman, the poetess. He
was a lineal descendant of Gov. Walter
Clarke of Newport, who held office in
1676. At one time his father was pub-
lisher of the Newport Advertiser. The
first record of him as a printer in this city
is in the 1850 Directory, and since that
year hs worked in the book and job offices
here until a few years before his death.
He was initiated into Providence Union
Sept. 11, 1869.
JOHN B. ATKINSON— Born Newport,
R. I., Feb. 27, 1831 ; learned printing in
that city with his father, James Atkinson,
beginning in 1847 ; worked on the Daily
Post in Providence in 1850; died in
Lowell, Mass., June 10, 1852. James
Atkinson, father of James H., John B. and
Oliver M., was a famous Newport printer.
OLIVER M. ATKINSON — Born New-
port, R. L, July 28, 1838; learned printing
in his father's (James Atkinson) office in
that city, beginning in 1847 ; initiated into
Providence Union March 11, 1865 ; died in
Newport June 2, 1880.
VOLNEY AUSTIN — Born England in
1840 and died in Pawtucket Dec. 15, 1875,
aged 34 years, 4 months and 5 days.
With his parents he came to this country
in 1848. They settled in Woonsocket,
R. I., where the elder Austin found em-
ployment as a weaver. In 1851, when 11%
years old, Volney was apprenticed to Mr.
Foss, publisher of the Woonsocket Patriot.
Volney continued in the Patriot office
about five years and then came to Provi-
dence. He was initiated into No. 33 April
18, 1857, and his name appears on the
Journal pay roll for the first time May
1, 1858. He represented Providence Union
in the Montreal convention of 1873 and
took a prominent part in its proceedings.
For a number of years he collected com-
mercial news for ths Evening Press and
also "set" it, besides editing the telegraph
copy.
SAMUEL AVERY (of Boston, Mass.) —
Was foreman of Miller & Hutchens' print-
ing office when the Manufacturers and
Farmers Journal was started in 1820. A
letter from Charles H. Phinney (May 15,
1905) says: "On Aug. 2, 1805, 'The
Society of Printers of Boston and Vicin-
ity' was formed, and three years later, in
April, 1808, the name was changed to
'Faustus Society.' Samuel Avery's name
VI
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
appears as a signer of the constitution.
* * * Joseph T. Buckingham, a well-
known biographer of early Boston master
printers, mentioned him as alive in 1859."
JOHN AYLESWORTH — Died Providence
April 9, 1861, in his 78th year. From 1830
to 1836, according to the Directory, he was
a printer.
CHARLES E. AYRES — Born Dayton,
O., Aug. 19, 1853 ; learned printing in
office of Cincinnati Gazette ; joined Typo-
graphical Union in 1874 at Indianapolis,
Ind. ; deposited a card in Providence Union
jJec. 27, 1885 ; worked in Providence on
the Telegram, Star, Sunday Dispatch and
The Paper ; at present located in Worces-
ter, Mass.
Initiated Into Providence Typographical
Union on Dates Named:
JAMES ALLEN, April 13, 1861 (The
Aeronaut).
THOMAS ALLEN, March 11, 1865.
THOMAS E. ASH, March 13, 1869.
Admitted by Card on Dates Named:
GEORGE ADAMSON, May 29, 1904.
W. R. ANDERSON, June 30, 1901.
JOHN L. AHERNS, August, 1888.
A. C. ALGER, May 31, 1891.
ALFRED ARCHER, Dec. 18, 1892.
GEORGE ARMITAGE, Feb. 24, 1901.
FRANK ARNOLD, Feb. 27, 1884.
F. S. ARTHUR, December, 1884.
JOHN ATZBACK, August, 1888.
CHARLES W. BABCOCK — Applied for
membership in New Bedford Union Feb-
ruary, 1898; had worked in Providence
and Boston.
JAMES G. BACON — Born Foxboro,
Mass., Nov. 21, 1846; began to learn
printing in Foxboro in 1863 ; initiated
into Providence Union March 9, 1867 ;
worked in this city 1866-67 and 1872-76
on the Journal and in book and job
offices ; President of Hartford Union
three years ; delegate to Washington in
1903, and has held many other positions
in that Union ; at present located in
Hartford.
BARBOUR BADGER— Worked in this
city in 1819; May 30, 1821, he started
The Religious Intelligencer and had it
printed at the American office. In 1824
he lived in Boston, Mass.
A. C. BALLOU — Born Burrillville,
R. I., April 10, 1876 ; began to learn
printing at Pascoag, R. I., in 1891 ;
worked in New York and Providence.
BELLE J. BALLOU — Born Norton,
Mass., June 1, 1852; learned printing at
Riverside Press, Cambridge, Mass. ;
worked in Providence from 1872 to 1892
on the Herald, Press and in some of the
book offices ; initiated into No. 33 Jan.
31, 1886; is sister of Emily J. (Ballou)
Pilling; at present (1904) with Ginn &
Co., East Cambridge, Mass.
EMILY J. PILLING, nee BALLOU—
Born Norton, Mass., Sept. 27, 1854 ;
learned printing at Riverside Press, Cam-
bridge, Mass. ; worked in Providence
from 1872 to 1892 on the Herald, Press
and in some of the job offices ; initiated
into No. 33 Jan. 31, 1886; at present
(1904) employed in a job office in Brock-
ton, Mass.
WRIGHT BARBER — Born Ashton-
under-Lyne, England, Sept. 22, 1868 ;
learned printing in his native town in the
Reporter office, beginning in 1882, serv-
ing seven years. He came to the United
States in 1900, depositing a card in
Providence Union at the November meet-
ing of that year ; participated in the
effort for eight hours in 1906 ; now
located in Boston.
FRANK A. BARBOUR — (Son of Wil-
liam H. Barbour) ; born Providence Nov.
21, 1861 ; learned printing at What Cheer
Print, beginning in 1876 ; initiated into
Providence Union Nov. 28, 1883, and
worked in this city until 1893, when he
removed to Boston, where he is at pres-
ent located.
WILLIAM H. BARBOUR — Born near
St. Clairsville, Belmont county, Ohio,
April 1, 1836 ; learned printing in Ohio,
coming to Providence in 1855 ; was a
charter member of Providence Union in
1857, delegate to Philadelphia in 1865,
and held many offices in No. 33 up to
1878, when the charter was surrendered.
In 1864, when Ben C. Truman was Pro-
vost Marshal of Nashville, Tenn., after
the Confederates had evacuated the city,
he sent for Mr. Barbour to take the fore-
manship of a newspaper that was issued
from the remains of two Nashville news-
paper offices ; Mr. Barbour accepted the
position, but soon returned to this city.
In 1873 he was foreman of the Journal.
His card was received in the reorganized
Providence Union July 1, 1883. He died
in January, 1892.
JOSEPH C. BARKER — Born Halifax,
N. S., May 4, 1851 ; learned printing on
British Colonist in that city, beginning in
1863 ; initiated into Hartford Typographi-
cal Union in 1869 ; member of Providence
Union in 1883 and later; worked on Jour-
nal and Star ; was proofreader on Tribune
in 1906, but has since left the city.
ANDREW J. BARNES. JR.— Born at
Rockport, Mass., April 17, 1874 ; learned
printing in New Haven, Conn. ; worked
in Providence in 1899 on the Telegram;
in 1904 was living in Hartford, Conn.
H. CORNELIUS BARNES — Born Provi-
dence Feb. 8, 1864 ; learned trade at office
of Providence Press, beginning in 1880;
worked as compositor on Press, Mail,
Telegram, Bulletin ; as operator on Tele-
gram and office of Snow & Farnham ; at
present employed on Bulletin in the "ad"
department ; became a member of Provi-
dence Union May 30, 1886.
THE JOURNEYMEN
VII
HENRY A. BARNES — Died Providence
May 28, 1903. He was a native of
Southington, Conn., and first came to this
city in July, 1862, working in the Journal
job office. He left shortly after to work
in New London and Norwich, Conn., re-
turning here in May, 1863. Hearing of
opportunity for work in New York in
1864 he went there, but found a strike in
progress on the Times, and came back
to Providence the next day. He began
work in the composing room of the Jour-
nal, later going to the Evening Press, of
which paper he became foreman in 1871,
holding that position until 1876, when he
took the commercial "sit." When the
Press died he worked for a short time on
the Mail, and Jan. 8, 1885, accepted the
position of Instructor in Printing at the
Sockanosset School for Boys, holding it
until he died. Under his administration
the Howard Times was started as an
institution paper. Mr. Barnes was initi-
ated into Providence Union Nov. 14, 1863,
its secretary from 1865 to 1870, and dele-
gate to I. T. U. in 1871. Before coming
to Providence he travelled extensively on
the Pacific Coast, going as far south as
Valparaiso, where he worked at his trade.
Mr. Barnes was a private in Company D,
Sixth N. Y. Cavalry, from August, 1861,
to June 28, 1862, when he was honorably
discharged for disability. He was a mem-
ber of What Cheer Lodge, No. 21, A. F.
and A. M. ; of Providence Chapter, Order
of the Eastern Star ; of Roger Williams
Lodge, I. O. O. F., and of Rachel Lodge,
Daughters of Rebekah. Mrs. Barnes, his
wife, fed to the press the first Evening
Bulletin, printed Jan. 26, 1863, through
the pressure of war news.
SIMEON E. BARNES — Died Provi-
dence May 26, 1903. He had worked for
the R. I. Printing Co. as a compositor.
WILLIAM C. BARNES — Born London,
Can., March 24, 1844 ; learned printing
on the Tilsonburg (Ont. ) Observer and
the Woodstock (Ont.) Sentinel; in the
summer of 1883 he worked in this city on
the Journal ; his reputation as a fast
compositor was national. He took first
prize in local trials of speed at Hartford,
Conn., and Montreal, Can. On Sept. 10,
1885, in the office of the New York Times,
for a money wager, he set 2001 ems in
55m. 30s., and 2160 ems in one hour,
which stands as his best record. He won
the first prize in the Chicago tournament
held in 1886. In this contest Barnes's
best gross time was 3011 ems in 1%
hours; best time (after deduction for
time consumed in correcting), 2954% ems
in iy2 hours. Total for 21 hours, gross,
40,675; time correcting, 58 minutes;
total net, 21 hours, 39, 225 14. In the
Philadelphia tournament, held March 16-
27, 1886, his best gross time for ll/2
hours was 3220 ems ; best net time,
3174% ems; total for 33 hours, 66,783
ems ; time correcting total amount,
42%m. ; total net amount, 65, 714% ems.
Mr. Barnes made two records on work
never before attempted by any other
compositor. At Chicago, during the first
national tournament, in one hour he set
1822 ems with the lower case reversed;
also in one hour 1005 ems blindfolded,
with but one error in spacing and one
typographical error. At Philadelphia,
during the second national tournament, he
set in l1^ hours 2744 ems with the lower
case reversed, occupying but 30 seconds
correcting the same, and in 1% hours
1635 ems, blindfolded, with but six
errors. Mr. Barnes, with the assistance
of Joseph W. McCann and Alexander
Duguid, edited and compiled a book rela-
tive to fast typesetting, which they pub-
lished in 1887. Mr. Barnes was "make-
up" on the New York Evening World in
1905.
THOMAS HARRY BARNETT (Rev.)
— Born Frome, Somertshire, England ;
learned printing with Butler & Tanner
at Frome ; initiated into Providence Union
Nov. 9, 1873, and worked in the book
room of the Providence Press Co. until
1877, when he returned to England. He
then entered Rawdon College, was or-
dained and is now a missionary in India
in connection with the London Baptist
Missionary Society.
EDWARD P. BARRY — Born Evans-
ville, Ind., March 16, 1862; learned print-
ing in that city, beginning in 1879 ; ad-
mitted to Providence Union by card at
the June meeting, 1888, and worked here
that summer ; joined Evansville Union,
No. 35, in 1882, and served as its Presi-
dent and also as its secretary ; delegate to
Detroit in 1899 (I. T. U.) ; delegate from
Indianapolis, No. 1, to State Federation
five times ; also to Central Labor Union
of Indianapolis seven years and its Presi-
dent four terms and its secretary one
term ; now foreman machine department
Indiana Newspaper Union.
GEORGE W. BARRY — Born Ticonder-
oga, N. Y., Feb. 27, 1835 ; began to learn
printing in Brattleboro, Vt., in 1841, and
finished apprenticeship in the Phoenix job
office, Bellows Falls, Vt. His indentures
stipulated for $20 the first and second
years, $25 the third year and $30 the
fourth year, with board, but he received
$25 the first year, $30 the second, $35
the third and $50 the fourth, with board.
He went to Worcester in 1856 ; was fore-
man of the Woonsocket Patriot from
1857 to 1859. The latter year Capt.
Barry came to Providence. He was initi-
ated into No. 33 Aug. 13, 1859. He
worked in the newspaper offices until the
Press job office was started, when he
went there, staying until 1861, and then
going to the war. After his service in
the Army he came back to the Press job
office ; was foreman of Maxfield's, then
located where the Bristol Hotel now is ;
went to Boston to work on the Post, and
in 1873, when the Rhode Island Printing
Co. was organized, came again to Provi-
dence to work in that office, where he has
VIII
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
remained until the present time. He was
President of Providence Union in 1871.
Capt. Barry was in the Navy for about
one year before the war, having enlisted
in Boston for a cruise on the U. S.
frigate Merrimac, afterward the famous
Confederate ironclad.
WILLIAM F. BARRY — Was elected an
honorary member of Providence Union
at the February meeting in 1887. He
was then district recording secretary of
the Knights of Labor. Afterward he prac-
ticed law in this city and in 1904 went
to one of the Southern cities to reside.
JAMES W. BARTON — Died Warren,
R. I., Aug. 14, 1877, aged 68 years. He
learned printing in the office of the
Rhode Island American, but immediately
went to sea after finishing his apprentice-
ship. He continued to follow the sea for
about 30 years, mostly as a whaleman,
rising to the position of captain. In 1866
he established the Warren Gazette and
conducted it about 11 years, until a few
months before his death.
LOUIS A. BASINET — Born Durham,
Quebec, Can., May 18, 1860; learned
printing at Cowensville, Quebec, begin-
ning in 1877 ; worked in Providence since
1882, with the exception of five years,
1884-89 ; initiated into No. 33 Oct. 31,
1897 ; at present conducting a printing
office at 35 Cranston strset, this city.
F. W. BAXTER — Born 1877; learned
trade at Philadelphia, Pa. ; worked at
Remington Printing Co., this city, in
1902 ; applied for admission to No. 33
Nov. 30, 1902.
JOHN BAXTER — Born Ireland June
24, 1844 ; came to the United States
when two years old ; learned printing
with A. Crawford Greene, beginning in
18.56; initiated into Providence Union
May 12, 1866. In the Civil War Mr.
Baxter served with the llth R. I.
EDGAR O. BEACHAM — Born Ravan-
na, Mo., in 1865 ; learned printing at
Trenton in that State, starting at the
trade in 1879. He was initiated into
Providence Union Dec. 18, 1892 ; served
as its President in 1906, during the first
year of the eight-hour struggle ; at pres-
ent assistant foreman on Tribune.
ISAAC A. BEALS — Born Halifax, N. S.,
where he learned the printing trade ; ad-
mitted to Providence Union by card Sept.
30, 1900, and was foreman of the Evening
News the same year ; for a time he
worked in Hartford and was President of
the Union in that city. Now located in
Boston.
JOHN E. BEATTIE — Born Scotland
Nov. 27, 1861 ; learned printing at
Hawick, Scotland, beginning in 1876 ; ad-
mitted to Providence Union by card at the
July meeting, 1889 ; worked in Providence
about seven years in nearly all the prin-
cipal shops and at E. L. Freeman &
Son's, Central Falls, about eight years ;
at present in Boston, Mass.
WILLIAM F. BEEBE — Initiated into
Providence Typographical Union Dec. 10.
1870. He worked in the job office of
M. B. Young in 1871.
ADELBERT M. BEERS — Born Spen-
cer, Mass., March 5, 1848; learned print-
ing trade in Hartford, Conn., beginning in
1867 ; admitted to Providence Union by
card Aug. 27, 1884 ; worked in this city
on the Journal, Telegram, Press and
Star ; was in the United States Navy
during the Civil War ; at present located
in Providence.
HORACE G. BELCHER — Born Pater-
son, N. J., Sept. 21, 1872; learned print-
ing with R. I. Printing Co., beginning in
1888; at present editor of Sunday Trib-
une.
JOHN A. BELCHER — Born Eagje
Valley, Orange county, N. Y., Sept. 11,
1850 ; learned printing trade in Paterson,
N. J., and New York city, beginning in
1863; worked in this city from 1874 to
1905 (31 years) at R. I. Printing Co.; in
1905 became partner with Elias S. Nick-
erson in firm of John F. Greene Co. ;
resident of Lakewood and Tax Assessor
of Warwick, R. I.
JOSEPH W. BELCHER — Born Eagle
Valley, Orange county, N. Y., March 31,
1853; learned printing on the Paterson
Daily Press, beginning in 1868; worked
in Providence for Chapman & Carter,
1873; R. I. Printing Co., 1873-1884; John
F. Greene, 1884 ; George F. Chapman &
Co., 1884-85 ; R. I. Printing Co., 1885-87,
1889-1903; in Boston for L. Barta & Co.,
1887-89 ; initiated into Boston Typo-
graphical Union in 1887 and into No. 33
Feb. 22, 1903 ; at present employed in
Government Printing Office, Washington,
D. C.
JAMES M. BELL — Born Mt. Sterling.
111., June 16, 1858 ; learned printing in
Quincy, 111., beginning in 1870 ; admitted
by card into Providence Union at the
April meeting, 1888; at present located
in New York city. Mr. Bell is best
known to the craft as "Park Row" in old
Union Printer and other typographical
publications. He is the author of many
humorous stories and poems.
JOHN D. BELL — Born 1870; learned
printing in office of Canadian Champion
at Melton, Ont. ; worked in Fall River,
Westerly and at Snow & Farnham's.
Providence, in 1901 ; joined Providence
Union March 27, 1901.
BENJAMIN I. BENNETT — Born Paw-
tucket, R. I., Jan. 31, 1874 ; learned
printing on Pawtucket Times, beginning
in 1888; admitted to Providence Union
by card June 28, 1903, and worked in
this city until March 23, 1904 ; now lo-
cated in Boston, Mass.
THE JOURNEYMEN
IX
GEORGE BENNETT — Born Maysham,
Lancashire, England, Nov. 24, 1871;
learned printing in Visitor office, More-
cambe, Lancashire, working there about
12 years in all, "and on leaving previous
to coming to America was the recipient of
a handsome travelling bag as a token of
regard from the companionship." He was
a member of the English Typographical
Association more than 10 years. He came
to Providence in 1903, depositing a card
Sept. 28 of that year.
JOATHAM BENSON — Born 1871;
learned printing at Biddeford, Me., be-
ginning in 1889 ; initiated into Providence
Union July 28, 1901 ; participated in the
eight-hour strike in 1906 ; left Providence
in March, 1906.
WILLIAM H. BERRY— Name in 1853
Directory; in 1856, in company with
Robert A. Pierce, he started the Franklin
printing office at 36 Westminster street ;
in 1858 his application for membership
in Providence Union was rejected, proba-
bly because he was a proprietor ; name
does not appear in Directory after 1861.
PRANK N. BERTHERMAN — Born
Ottawa, Can., in 1870 ; learned printing
at Bay City, Mich., beginning in 1885 ;
initiated into Providence Union Nov. 25,
1900 ; participated in the effort for the
eight-hour day in 1906 ; at present em-
ployed on Evening Bulletin.
HENRY BERTRAND — Born St. Johns,
P. Q. ; learned printing in Lowell, Mass. ;
admitted to Providence Union by card at
the November meeting, 1886, and worked
on the Telegram ; in 1905 located in
Brockton, Mass.
JAMES L. BICKNELL — Born John-
ston, R. I., Feb. 20, 1839. He was taken
West when a small boy, and in 1850, in
Evansville, Ind., on the Morning Journal,
he began to learn the printing trade.
After finishing his apprenticeship he
worked on the Pittsburg Dispatch, Cin-
cinnati Enquirer, Louisville Journal, Mem-
phis Appeal, New Orleans Bee, Norwich
Bulletin and on the Providence Herald,
Press, Journal, Telegram and News. He
served three years in the Fifth Regiment,
R. I. Heavy Artillery, in the Civil War.
Mr. Bicknell was initiated into Provi-
dence Union March 11, 1865. He died in
Providence April 28, 1906.
WALTER S. BINGHAM — Born Spen-
cer, Mass., Feb. 21, 1863 ; learned print-
ing in office of J. E. Farwell & Co., Bos-
ton, beginning in 1879 ; initiated into
Boston Typographical Union in 1894 ;
worked in Providence at E. A. Johnson &
Co.'s in 1900-01 ; located in Brockton,
Mass., in 1905.
WILLARD MILTON BISHOP — Born
Kentville, N. S., Dec. 26, 1863 ; started
in 1879 to learn printing on the Western
Chronicle of that town, continuing one
year on the Wollville Star, and finished
at Rand & Avery's, Boston ; was with
the latter firm until 1888 ; admitted to
Providence Union by card Sept. 28, 1903 ;
was employed at Remington Printing Co.
until December, 1905, when he left Provi-
dence ; worked in Boston early in 1907.
WILLIAM P. BITTMAN — Born Cin-
cinnati, O., Sept. 7, 1833 ; learned print-
ing in that city, beginning in 1847 ;
worked in Providence 1882-92 ; Civil Wai-
veteran ; at present rotates between Los
Angeles, Cal., and Colorado Springs, Col.
RICHARD BLACK — Born County
Cavan, Ireland, in 1860; learned printing
at Mohill, county Leitrim, and at Glas-
gow, Scotland ; joined the Union in Ayr.
Scotland, March 1, 1881 ; came to America
in June, 1889, and deposited card that
month in Providence Union ; worked for
J. A. & R. A. Reid six months, and then
for E. L. Freeman & Son, Central Falls,
two years; in 1891 entered the office of
J. S. Gushing & Co., Boston ; moved to
Norwood with that firm ; charter member
of Norwood Union.
F. W. BLAKE — Deposited Boston card
with No. 33 October, 1906 ; withdrew card
March, 1907 ; worked on Tribune as
machinist.
FRANCIS BLIVEN— Printer ; died in
Providence, April 3, 1816, aged 22 years.
— Patriot.
CHARLES H. BLOUNT — Born Lisbon,
N. Y., in 1865 ; learned printing in
Ogdensburg, N. Y., beginning in 1881 ;
admitted to Providence Union by card
October, 1888 ; at present on the Boston
Globe.
HENRY H. BOARDMAN— Born Nor-
wich, Vt., April 14, 1827 ; learned printing
in Windsor, Vt., beginning Jan. 26, 1842 ;
worked on the Boston Journal 37 years,
from 1848 to 1885; on the Providence
Evening Bulletin from 1886 to 1890; was
one time publisher of the Newton (Mass.)
Graphic ; always interested in chess and
checkers ; represented Boston in the
National Convention of 1851 ; initiated
into Providence Union Aug. 28, 1887 ;
resided in Jewett City, Conn., in 1904.
GEORGE A. BOLTON — Born South-
bridge, Mass., in 1853 ; learned printing
in that town, beginning in 1870 ; worked
in Providence since 1902 ; at present with
the R. I. Printing Co.
GEORGE E. BOOMER— Came to Provi-
dence from Madison, Me., where he had
learned printing ; initiated into Provi-
dence Union at the first meeting when it
wras reorganized, April 8, 1883 ; worked
on Journal and Telegram ; editor of Jus-
tice from April 7, 1894, to Nov. 30, 1895 ;
went to the Pacific Coast States.
STEPHEN BOOTH — Born England
Nov. 30, 1840 ; learned printing in Woon-
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
socket, R. I., 1857-61 ; worked in Provi-
dence from November, 1864, to March,
1872; joined No. 33 March 11, 1865; was
its President in 1866, treasurer in 1869
and secretary in 1871. The contest for
the latter position was the "most hotly
contested" the Union had ever witnessed.
The opposing candidate was Henry A.
Barnes (Brown), then secretary and also
foreman of the Press. Before his term
expired Mr. Booth removed to Boston, to
work on the Globe, where he has been
ever since, with the exception of the
year 1883, spent in the West. He was
President of Boston Union in 1882.
ROBERT P. BOSS — Born Newport,
R. I., Jan. 11, 1840; learned printing on
the Newport Mercury; in 1861 he enlisted
in the Navy and served until 1864 as
master's mate ; participated in the cap-
ture of Roanoke Island, the smashing of
the rebel fleet at Elizabethport, the cap-
ture of Newberne and seige of Washing-
ton, N. C., the battle of the Blackwater
at Franklin Bridge, etc. In 1865 Mr.
Boss came to Providence, working first
on the Journal. From there he went to
the Evening Press and was elected fore-
man of that paper by the compositors
and confirmed in that position by the
management, holding it for two years.
Thence he went to the Herald for one
year and then back to the Press, where
he was again made foreman through a
change in management. He held his sec-
ond foremanship on the Press about three
months. Mr. Boss's name was proposed
in Providence Union in 1860. On account
of his absence in the war he was not
initiated until Oct. 14, 1865. In 1871 Mr.
Boss went to Boston, and in March, 1872,
was made night foreman of the Globe.
In August, 1873, he was made Superin-
tendent, and held that position until his
health failed. Mr. Boss is a member of
St. John's Lodge. No. 1. F. and A. M.,
of this city ; Grand Army of the Repub-
lic, Kearsarge Association of Naval Vet-
erans, Boston Typographical Union, An-
cient and Honorable Artillery of Boston,
Royal Society of Good Fellows and
Knights and Ladies of Honor. He repre-
sented Boston Union in the I. T. U. con-
vention of 1882.
MAXIME S. BOU RET— Learned print-
ing in the office of the Woonsocket
Reporter ; initiated into Providence Union
July 29, 1883; worked on the Star and
Journal ; published a Sunday paper in
Woonsocket for four weeks, beginning
May 3, 1885, in company with Edward B.
Condon ; learned to operate a linotype on
the Journal ; has been with the Boston
Globe since leaving Providence; in 1898
delegate to I. T. U. from Boston.
CHARLES RUSSELL BOUTELLE —
Born Providence in 1875 ; learned print-
ing at Snow & Farnham's, beginning in
1890, and is now employed in that office.
He was initiated into Providence Union
June 24, 1900.
JAMES P. BOWDITCH — Born Berk-
shire, Vt., March 2, 1877 ; learned printing
in Providence, beginning in 1891 ; initi-
ated into No. 33 March 31, 1905 ; at pres-
ent employed on the Evening Tribune.
JOSIAH B. BOWDITCH— Born July 31,
1842, in Fairfield, Vt. ; learned the print-
ing trade in St. Albans and Richford, Vt.,
beginning in 1858. April 20, 1861, he
enlisted, serving through the Civil War,
and was mustered out June 24, 1865. He
owned a weekly paper and general print-
ing office in Richford from October, 1866,
until March, 1875. Was a reporter and
editorial writer on St. Albans and Rut-
land papers in 1875 to 1879, editor, col-
lector and advertising solicitor on Paw-
tuxet Valley Gleaner from October, 1881,
to July, 1886 ; editorial writer, telegraphic
editor and proofreader on Providence
Telegram from August, 1886, to July,
1887, and editorial writer on same paper
in 1889. Mr. Bowditch owned the East
Greenwich Pendulum from January, 1888,
to December, 1889; was a proofreader
and compositor for the Continental Print-
ing Co. in 1896, and has been a contribu-
tor to the Providence Journal since 1890.
At various times Mr. Bowditch has been
a compositor in Springfield, Boston and
Quincy, Mass.
THOMAS F. BOWEN — Born Provi-
dence Oct. 31, 1876 ; learned printing at
Reids', beginning in 1892 ; initiated into
No. 33 Feb. 25, 1900 ; at present employed
on Evening Bulletin.
JAMES P. BOWES — Born Sackville,
N. B. ; died in this city March 6, 1894.
For many years was employed as a com-
positor on the Journal, and on the intro-
duction of machines here went to the
New York Herald. He was delegate to
the I. T. U. convention at Buffalo from
No. 33. He was obligated at the first
meeting of the reorganized Union in 1883.
NELSON BOYLE — Born Albion, R. I.,
Dec. 19, 1829, and died while on a visit
to his parents in Jewett City, Conn.,
Dec. 28, 1872. He began to learn printing
about 1849 with Samuel Foss "in Woon-
socket. In 1850 he was employed on the
Providence Post, and in 1857 was a char-
ter member of No. 33. He was station
agent for the Warren and Bristol Rail-
road at Fox Point, Providence, for sev-
eral years before his death. He is buried
in Pawtucket.
LESLIE BOYNTON— Born Woonsocket,
R. I., Jan. 2, 1876 ; learned printing on
the Providence Telegram and worked
there six years ; located in New York
city in 1904.
JOSEPH H. BRACKETT — Born Cam-
bridge, Mass., Aug. 25, 1871 ; learned
printing at Hitchcock Musical Publishing
Co., New York city, beginning in 1886 ;
admitted to Providence Union by card at
September meeting, 1905. Left printing in
1906, taking up the show business.
THE JOURNEYMEN
XI
ARTHUR BRADBURY — Born Bury,
Lancashire, Eng., Feb. 14, 1884 ; learned
printing on the Bury Guardian ; admitted
to Providence Union at October meeting,
1905 ; came out of John F. Greens's on
the strike for eight hours in 1906. Left
Providence in October, 1906, and worked
in New Bedford in 1907.
JOHN BRADY — Born Providence in
1854 and died here Aug. 10,1902; learned
printing in the Journal office, finishing
his apprenticeship in 1870 ; initiated into
Providence Union Nov. 11, 1871 ; worked
for about 10 years on the Evening Press
and then established a retail shoe busi-
ness, which he carried on until a short
time before his death.
JOHN W. BRAMWOOD — Secretary-
Treasurer of the International Typo-
graphical Union; born Sept. 27, 1856,
in Fall River, Mass., where in his early
youth he was employed in a cotton mill.
At the age of 12 he entered the office of
the Fall River News to learn printing.
Shortly afterward he movBd West with
his parents. He became a member of
Denver Union, No. 49, in May, 1872,
being at the time less than 16 years of
age. Mr. Bramwood has worked on all
the dailies and magazines of note in the
larger cities of the United States and
Canada. He finally settled down in Den-
ver, and during his residence there filled
every official position within the province
of the local Union, serving two terms as
its President. He was also an active
worker in the Central Labor Union of
Denver, and for two years its presiding
officer. At the Louisville convention of
the International in 1894 he represented
Denver Union, and was elected as one of
the International delegates to the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor. That office was
occupied two years, during which he at-
tended the sessions of the American Fed-
eration of Labor in Denver and New
York city. As an appreciation of his ser-
vices Denver again selected him to rep-
resent it at the Colorado Springs meeting
of ths International Union, held in 1896.
He was there elected secretary-treasurer
of the International Typographical Union.
He was re-elected to his present office by
a referendum vote in 1898, 1900, 1902,
1904 and 1906. Besides being secretary-
treasurer of the International, Mr. Bram-
wood is secretary of the executive council,
a member of the board of trustees of the
Union Printers' Home and secretary-
treasurer of the Union Printers' Home
Corporation. He is also editor of the
Typographical Journal, the official maga-
zine of the craft. He is regarded as one
of the most conservative men in the labor
movement and has a host of friends
throughout the country. He was admit-
ted by card to Providence Union Dec.
26, 1884.
SOL. L. BRANDT — Born 1873 ; began
to learn printing in 1890 ; elected a mem-
ber of Providence Union Sept. 28, 1903.
ROBERT BRANNAN — Born Fred-
erickton, N. B., Oct. 24, 1882 ; he learned
printing there and in 1865 moved to
Boston ; he remained in that city less
than a year, beginning work in the Provi-
dence Journal composing room in 1866.
From that time until two weeks before
his death he continued with the Journal.
He died in the harness, having stood to
his work until he was carried from the
composing room to the Rhode Island
Hospital, where he died Aug. 15, 1886, in
his 65th year, succumbing to the wear
and tear of years and work. At his
funeral representatives of every depart-
ment of the Journal were present. Messrs.
H. C. Barnes, William Elsbree and John
H. Hurley of the composing room sang
the hymn, "Nearer, My God, to Thee."
His remains lie in the North Burial
Ground. Mr. Brannan was initiated into
Providence Union Nov. 14, 1868.
GEORGE A. BREEN — Born Webster.
Mass., Sept. 10, 1872; learned printing at
office of Webster Times ; worked in Provi-
dence in 1891 at Remington's and Snow
& Farnham's ; admitted to Providence
Union Dec. 30, 1900, by card; located in
New Bedford in 1904.
JAMES H. BREHAUT — Born Sum-
merside, P. E. I., March 12, 1864 ; learned
printing on the Summerside Journal ;
worked in Providence on the Telegram
from February to November, 1891 ; ad-
mitted by card to Providence Union Feb.
22, 1891 ; at present employed on the
Boston Post.
WILLIAM ALBERT BREHAUT — Born
Summerside, P. E. L, Oct. 5, 1868; died
Boston, Mass., Jan. 24, 1904, at the
Massachusetts General Hospital ; learned
printing at Summerside, starting in 1880 ;
was initiated Into Providence Union at
the January meeting, 1887 ; worked on
the Star until it stopped, in March of
that year, then went to Boston and
worked on the Post until the lockout in
1891 ; then returned to this city for a few
weeks' work on the Evening Telegram ;
returning to Boston, he labored there
mostly on the Post until stricken with
his last sickness in the fall of 1904. He
was a brother of James H. Brehaut. He
is buried at Forest Hills, Mass.
FRANCIS J. BRENNAN — Born 1874 ;
learned printing with Buker Publishing
Co., Providence ; worked in various job
offices in this city ; applied for admission
to No. 33 in 1906.
JOHN P. BRENNAN — Born Ireland.
1877 ; initiated into Providence Union Aug.
27, 1906 ; admitted to Rhode Island bar
1906 ; now attorney-at-law in this city.
CHARLES A. BRIGGS — Born Cromp-
ton, R. I., Aug. 31, 1856; learned printing
with G. B. & J. H. Utter, Westerly,
R. L, beginning in 1871 ; initiated into
New London Union ; admitted to Provi-
dence Union by card Sept. 28, 1902 ;
XII
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
worked in various book and job offices
here ; was a charter member of War-
wick Typographical Union, and was in
Providence for a short time in 1906;
now resides at Phenix, R. I.
JETHRO TILLING HAST BRIGGS —
Born Fall River, Mass., 1825; came to
this city in 1840, and in 1845 was an
apprentice on the Journal, where he
learned the printing trade. He was a
charter member of Providence Typo-
graphical Union ; worked in about every
printing office of any note in the city
during his time at the business. He died
Feb. 11, 1888.
WILLIAM F. BRIGGS — Born Attle-
boro, Mass., Dec. 1, 1869 ; learned print-
ing at E. L. Freeman's, beginning in
1887 ; participated in the effort for the
eight-hour day in 1906 ; worked in Provi-
dence since 1903 ; lost left hand in 1897.
THOMAS BROUGHTON — Born Kent,
England, July, 1876 ; learned printing in
the Mercury job office, New Bedford,
Mass. ; admitted by card to Providence
Union Oct. 27, 1901 ; worked at J. J.
Ryder's and at Standard Printing Co. ;
also on the Pawtucket Times and Attle-
boro Sun ; employed on the New Bedford
Sunday Times in 1904.
LAUCHLAN W. BROW — Born Taun-
ton, Mass., March 14, 1863 ; learned
printing in the office of the Bristol County
Republican, beginning in 1880; worked in
Providence at J. A. & R. A. Reid's for
a short time in 1885, and from June of
that year until December, 1894, in the
Journal office, where he learned to
operate' a linotype ; initiated into No. 33
Nov. 30, 1885 ; since leaving Providence
he has been employed on the Boston
Globe, but resides in Taunton.
ASAHEL P. BROWN — Died Aug. 3,
1898, after suffering four years from a
shock of paralysis. He was born in New-
port, R. I., in 1847 ; learned the printing
trade in the job office of Knowles,
Anthony & Co., whence he went to the
Evening Press; from 1872 to 1886 he
was foreman of the Morning Star ; then
he went to the Journal, where he learned
to operate a linotype ; his last work was
copy-holding. Mr. Brown was initiated
into Providence Union Dec. 15, 1867 ;
President in 1873 and 1874, and delegate
to the I. T. U. in 1875 and 1876.
GEORGE H. BROWN — Born Provi-
dence Feb. 10, 1879; learned printing at
office of William R. Brown & Co., begin-
ning in 1896 ; became a member of Provi-
dence Union pet. 29, 1899; was foreman
of Brown's, and is now proprietor of the
Industrial Printing Co.
HENRY A. BROWN — Initiated into
Providence Union Jan. 27, 1901. He was
born in 1858 and learned printing in the
office of the Calais (Me.) Advertiser,
beginning in 1891.
HUGH HALE BROWN — Born Provi-
dence May 16, 1792 ; died Brooklyn,
N. Y., at the residence of his son-in-law,
Prof. S. S. Cutting, Oct. 4, 1863, aged 71
years. His father was Capt. Jeremiah
Brown, a descendant of Chad Brown,
and his mother Susannah Welch, daugh-
ter of John Welch, who carved the
sacred codfish for the State House in
Boston, Mass. In a journey from Boston
to Providence, made in a vehicle without
springs, and resembling a prairie schooner,
his mother brought on her knees an oval
mirror with carved frame and eagle,
"cousin to the sacred codfish." This mir-
ror was owned by Samuel W. Brown,
nephew to Hugh, until his death. Hugh
learned printing with John Carter. When
the latter sold his business, Hugh Brown
and W. H. Wilson, who had both learned
the trade with Carter, were the pur-
chasers. Two years later Brown was
sole owner, and continued so until 1820,
when Walter R. Danforth became a
partner. This firm dissolved in 1825, and
from that date until 1863 Brown was sole
proprietor. The Directory was first printed
in that office in 1824 and until 1860;
the Tax Book from 1834 to 1860. The
Rhode Island Register was also issued
from there for a number of years. Mr.
Brown was clerk of the Warren Baptist
Association for 30 years and never missed
a meeting. He is buried in this city. The
funeral services were held at the First
Baptist Meeting House. The Providence
Journal said at the time of his death:
"The infirmities of age compelled him
several months ago to give up the busi-
ness of printing, in which he had passed
his long, upright and useful life. He
then left this city and went to the home
of his son-in-law. '
NATHANIEL T. BROWN — Born Bos-
ton, Mass., Feb. 16, 1847 ; learned print-
ing in Smith & Potter's of that city ;
worked in Providence for Press Co. for
about 16 years; at present with E. L.
Freeman & Sons, Central Falls.
SAMUEL WELCH BROWN — Born
Providence January, 1824. His first in-
troduction to printing was as carrier for
S. S. Wilson's Penny Post. He also was
a carrier for the Morning Courier in
1838 and for the Journal when it ab-
sorbed the Courier. In 1840 he began an
apprenticeship with his uncle, Hugh H.
Brown, continuing at the business until
1843. Mr. Brown was a bookseller from
1844 to 1857. In the latter year he became
connected with the Municipal Court, and
in 1860 became City Clerk, continuing in
that position until 1879, when he retired
from active business. He died Jan. 30,
1907.
DAVID JAMES BROWNE — Born 1883 ;
learned machinist trade at Belfast, Ire-
land ; worked on Evening Tribune in
Providence from June to December, 1906 ;
withdrew I. T. U. card April, 1907.
THE JOURNEYMEN
XIII
EDWIN A. BROWNE — Was a member
of Providence Union before 1865 ; his
card was received again on April 11,
1868, and May 14, 1870.
WILLIAM E. BROWNE — Died New
London, Conn., Nov. 12, 1888, aged 63
years. He learned printing in the office
of the Pawtucket Gazette and Chronicle,
but most of his life was a writer, work-
ing for the Providence Journal nearly 25
years.
CHARLES R. BROWNELL — Born
Providence July 8, 1871 ; learned printing
at Standard Printing Co., beginning in
1888; initiated into Providence Union
July 27, 1902 ; worked in the Journal and
other offices in Providence ; participated
in eight-hour strike in 1906 ; at present
with Economical Printing Co.
RICHARD M. BROWNING — Born
Mallow, Ireland, Jan. 7, 1867 ; learned
printing at Chronicle Printing Co., Paw-
tucket ; worked in Providence on News
in 1898 ; now employed in tax assessor's
office, Pawtucket.
ROBERT B. BUCHANAN — Born Bris-
tol, R. I., in 1849; learned printing at
Hammond, Angell & Co.'s, beginning in
1869 ; worked in this city more than 35
years, mostly in book and job offices ;
initiated into No. 33 Sept. 28, 1890; par-
ticipated in the effort for eight-hour day
in 1906.
NICHOLAS W. BUCKLEY — Born New
York city, on Eighth avenue, Aug. 31,
1844 ; learned printing in Dunkirk, N. Y.,
beginning in 1858 ; admitted to Provi-
dence Union by card June 11, 1870; "in
1874 'Little Joe' Oakiey, John Tiger, Her-
man I. Wolfers and myself worked on
the Journal, having walked from Worcesr
ter, Mass. ;" treasurer of Bradford (Pa.)
Union in 1904.
STEPHEN J. BUCKLEY— Born New-
port, R. I., Dec. 26, 1870 ; learned print-
ing in office of Pawtuxet Valley Gleaner
at Phenix ; admitted to Providence Union
Feb. 26, 1893 ; employed in office of New-
port Herald in 1904.
MARTIN S. BUDLONG — Died Provi-
dence Sept. 22, 1900, aged 71 years. He
learned printing in the office of the
Republican Herald ; was one of the
founders of Providence Typographical
Union in 1857 ; member of the job print-
ing firm of Pierce & Budlong (Franklin
office) ; worked on the Journal and Tele-
gram, holding the "ad" situation on the
latter paper for several years ; as a vol-
unteer hreman Mr. Budlong was captain
of the Sevens and in the paid department
he was captain of a steamer ; he was also
a member of the United Train of Artil-
lery.
CHARLES E. BURCHFIELD — Born
Meadville. Pa., in 1842, and died in Taun-
ton, Mass., in 1876 ; he began to learn
printing at a very early age, and in 1858
went to California to join two older
brothers ; he worked two years in the
office of the Grass Valley Gazette and
then crossed the mountains into northern
Nevada ; the writer first met Burchfield
in a mining camp in that State in 1862 ;
he was foreman of a daily paper ; we
were shopmates and became fast friends,
and were scarcely ever separated there-
after until his death; in 1869 Mr. Burch-
field came East, first visiting his parents
in Pennsylvania, and then to Providence ;
he worked on the Journal, was foreman
of the Directory in the office of A. Craw-
ford Greene, foreman of the Morning
Star, worked for a while on the Woon-
socket Patriot and was foreman of the
Taunton Gazette, holding the latter posi-
tion at time of death ; he was initiated
into Providence Union Dec. 11, 1869, and
was its President in 1872. — F. E. Kelly.
JOHN BURGER — Born Wurtemberg,
Germany, May 15, 1862 ; learned machin-
ist trade in Basel, Switzerland, beginning
in 1877 ; began to work for Mergenthaler
Co. under Ottmar Mergenthaler in Balti-
more, Md., in 1886; helped build the first
linotype machine that was put on the
market ; came to Providence in 1890 to
care for the linotypes in the Journal
composing room, and was the principal
factor in their successful operation ; has
remained in the position since ; initiated
into Providence Union in 1903 ; visited his
native country in 1907.
JOSEPH R. SURGES — Died Provi-
dence Feb. 14, 1883, aged 67 years; he
had been a member of the printing firm
of Paine & Surges.
MICHAEL, F. BURKE — Born Holdem,
England, Feb. 14, 1879 ; learned printing
in the office of the Providence Telegram,
beginning in 1896; located in Fall River
on the Herald in 1904.
WILLIAM BURKE — Died Providence
Nov. 25, 1888; he was initiated into
Providence Union Jan. 29, 1888.
CHARLES T. BURLINGHAM — Born
Harris, R. I., Sept. 23, 1868 ; learned
printing in the office of the Pawtuxet
Valley Gleaner, beginning in 1885; initi-
ated into Providence Union Jan. 31, 1892 ;
worked at Snow & Farnham's and on the
News ; participated in the effort for the
eight-hour day in 1906 ; now proprietor
of a job printing office in Phenix, R. I.
HENRY W. BURNS — Born Taunton,
Mass., April 2, 1865 ; learned printing in
office of Providence Journal, beginning in
1884, and worked in this city until 1889,
when he went to Boston ; initiated into
No. 33 Oct. 29, 1889 ; at present employed
on the Boston Globe.
RICHARD H. BURNS — Born Clinton,
Mass., March 22, 1868 ; learned machinist
trade with J. B. Parker Machinery Co.,
XIV
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
beginning in 1887. Mr. Burns is one of
the best known linotype machinists in
the business, having begun to care for the
machines when they were first intro-
duced ; from the factory he first went to
the Bridgeport Standard and stayed there
six years ; then back to New York to
the Tribune for three years and to the
New York Herald until he came to Provi-
dence in 1907 ; he joined the I. A. M. in
1892, and stayed with that organization
until the linotype machinists were affili-
ated with the International Typographi-
cal Union ; he served on the executive
board of No. 6, on ball committees, and
was elected delegate from that Union to
Colorado Springs I. T. U. convention in
1906, the first machinist that ever repre-
sented "Big Six" in that body ; he was
admitted by card to Providence Union in
1907 and is now employed on the Evening
Tribune.
HENRY N. BURRETT — Born Lowell,
Mass., Nov. 30, 1868; began to learn
printing at West Union, Iowa, in 1883 ;
came to Providence Sept. 23, 1885, and
finished trade on East Providence Record
and The People ; initiated into Providence
Union July 25, 1886 ; worked on Dispatch,
Telegram, Star and at E. A. Johnson's ;
since June 3, 1888, has been employed on
the Journal and Bulletin, where he learned
to operate a linotype.
CHARLES WHEELER BURROUGHS
— (Son of Joseph L.) ; born in Provi-
dence Dec. 27, 1853 ; learned printing on
the Providence Journal, beginning in
1867; initiated into Providence Union
March 11, 1871 ; up to that time was the
youngest man ever admitted to No. 33 ;
worked in Boston, Springfield, Worces-
ter, West Brookfield and other places ;
gave up printing in 1886 ; worked as a
stationary engineer seven years, then be-
came a farmer, at Bridgewater, Mass.,
where he died March 13, 1907.
FRANK E. BURROUGHS— (Son of
Joseph L.) ; born May 23, 1847, in Mid-
dleboro, Mass ; attended school in the old
Arnold street grammar school in Provi-
dence until 1863, when he began to learn
printing on the Journal ; initiated into
Providence Union April 9, 1870 ; 1868 to
1870 had ship news "sit" on the Journal;
1870-72 worked on Star and Press and
Herald; May, 1872, went to Woonsocket
Patriot for a couple of weeks and then
went to the Boston Herald; 1873 went
with O. Scott Pond, as foreman, Sam K.
Head and others, to Worcester to work
on the Press, a new paper just starting ;
remained thsre six weeks, and then went
back to the Boston Herald, remaining
there until September, 1894 ; stayed on
his brother's farm in Bridgewater until
Feb. 5, 1895, when the Brockton Times
was started, and worked until June, 1896,
on that paper ; tried farming again until
August, 1897, when he started in with
the Talman Job Print in Brockton, where
he was employed in 1905.
GEORGE H. BURROUGHS — Born
Worcester, Mass., Nov. 16, 1860; learned
printing in office of Windham County
(Conn.) Transcript, beginning in 1879 ;
worked in office of Providence Press Co.
1886 ; at present partner Pawtucket
(R. I.) Chroncle Printing Co.
JOHN A. BURROUGHS — Born Lynn,
Mass., June 2, 1880; learned printing in
Boston, beginning 1898 ; worked in Provi-
dence 1906-07 ; participated in the effort
for the eight-hour day ; now located in
this city.
JOSEPH L. BURROUGHS — Born New-
port, R. I., Feb. 12, 1818; died Middle-
boro, Mass., July 23, 1889. Oct. 6, 1831.
he left Newport for New Bedford to learn
JOSEPH L. BURROUGHS.
the trade of printer. He entered the
office of the New Bedford Gazette, pub-
lished by his brother, William L. Bur-
roughs, and John Thornton, under the
firm name of Thornton & Burroughs. In
the latter part of 1833 the Gazette was
sold to the Democratic party, and J. G.
Harris became ostensible proprietor, and
P. W. Leland editor. He remained with
his brother in New Bedford until March,
1834, to settle the business of the concern.
In May, 1834, they left New Bedford for
Providence, and Joseph began work for
the firm of Knowles & Burroughs, in
which William L. had bought an interest.
This firm, in August, 1834, became the
printers of the Providence Journal, and
in July, 1838, bought the paper. In
March, 1842, Joseph L. Burroughs was
foreman of the Journal and retained that
position until 1867. From that time until
he removed from Providence, Aug. 19,
1873, he was employed on the Bulletin.
He then took up farming in Middleboro,
Mass., and spent the remainder of his
THE JOURNEYMEN
XV
life in that town. It is said of Mr. Bur-
roughs that, during his career on the
Journal, at one stretch he worked 11
years with a vacation of but one day, and
that was to attend a funeral. He was
one of the swiftest compositors and most
expert foremen of his time. Mr. Bur-
roughs was wounded accidentally during
the Dorr War excitement. The Journal
of July 2, 1842, said: "Joseph L. Bur-
roughs of this office was wounded Satur-
day by the accidental discharge of a
pistol, which fell from a member of one
of the companies. The blow discharged
the pistol and the ball entered the leg
of Mr. Burroughs. It fell out a few
hours afterwards."
WILLIAM L. BURROUGHS — Died
Brooklyn, N. Y., Jan. 6, 1858. He was
born in Newport, R. L, and was a brother
of Joseph L. Burroughs. In 1830 he was
a printer in Providence ; the next year
and until 1833 he was publisher of the
New Bedford Gazette in partnership with
John Thornton. Coming to Providence in
1834, he entered into partnership with
Joseph Knowles. Aug. 2 of that year
they became printers of the Journal, and
July 1, 1838, they bought the paper from
George W. Jackson. While interested in
the Journal, Mr. Burroughs was also a
partner in a book and job office at 113
Fulton street, New York city, afterwards
sold to Wynkoop, Hallenbeck & Thomas.
In this office was set the New York,
Southern and Western news of the day
and shipped to Providence by the Ston-
ingtoh Line, arriving here in type as
soon as the New York newspapers, from
which all such news had been clipped.
The Journal forms were held for this
matter, and the paper gained 24 hours
thereby. This was before the telegraph
was invented. Feb. 1, 1839, Mr. Bur-
roughs sold his interest in the Journal to
John W. Vose. About the year 1844 he
made two whaling voyages from New
Bedford in the brig Acton, for the benefit
of his health. He went the first voyage
to learn and the second to command. His
death was sudden and unexpected.
LEWIS E. BURTNETT — Born Ohio
March 19, 1858; began to learn printing
in 1871 at Sedalia, Mo. ; was admitted to
Providence Union Jan. 30, 1884, by card,
and again in July, 1887, when he re-
mained until 1889. At the time of the
strike on Charles Corbett's Dispatch he
went to Hartford, Conn. At present he
is editor of the Labor News of Greens-
boro, N. C.
CLARENCE E. BURTWELL — Born
Fall River (Tiverton), then a part of
Rhode Island, July 27, 1851 ; he learned
printing in the office of the Fall River
Daily News ; came to Providence in
November, 1868. and secured employment
in the office of the Providence Press Co.,
remaining there 18 years, until Novem-
ber, 1886, when he went to the Journal,
where he was employed at the time of
his death, on the night copy desk. Mr.
Burtwell was working on the Evening
Press Dec. 31, 1868, when fire destroyed
the office, and he was one of the men who
came down on the chain. He witnessed
the September gale of 1869, when the tide
rose to such a height that it covered tha
streets in the vicinity of the Press build-
ing and its occupants were transferred
from it to the Post Office in boats. Mr.
Burtwell was initiated into Providence
Typographical Union Jan. 9, 1869, and
was treasurer in 1878, when it disbanded.
He was initiated again June 28, 1885. In
1904 he wrote: "There are very few con-
nected with the Union now that were
members in 1869. The success of an
organization depends upon the conserva-
tism of its officers and members. Provi-
dence Union has been just to its mem-
bers and to the master printers, with the
result that friction has been avoided."
Mr. Burtwell died Dec. 10, 1904, of pneu-
monia.
WILLIAM A. BUSHMAN — Born 1876 ;
learned printing in office of J. E. Peters
& Son, Burlington, Vt. ; worked in Provi-
dence for Providence Publishing Co.,
J. A. & R. A. Reid and Fox & Saunders ;
initiated into No. 33 Dec. 29, 1901 ; now
of the firm of Bushman & Co., printers.
WILLIS H. BUSSEY — Born Hope.
R. I., Jan. 12, 1854 ; learned printing at
Chronicle office, Pawtucket ; initiated into
Providence Union April 29, 1888; worked
at Remington's and J. C. Hall's ; with-
drew from No. 33 to become a charter
member of Pawtucket Union, No. 212 ;
participated in the effort for the eight-
hour day in 1906 in Pawtucket; now sec-
retary of Pawtucket Union.
JOHN W. BUTLER — Born Birming-
ham, Eng., 1881; participated in the effort
for the eight-hour day in Providence in
1906 ; now employed at Franklin Press Co.
GEORGE V. BUTTERFIELD — Died
Boston Dec. 21, 1900, aged about 65
years. He was admitted to Providence
Union May 21, 1864, and was elected sec-
retary that year in June and December.
He went to Boston in the early 70's and
in his later years was a proofreader on
the Boston Globe and Herald.
JAMES BYRNES — Born Bristol, R. I.,
March 28, 1883; learned printing trade
in office of Bristol Phoenix ; initiated into
Providence Union Sept. 28, 1903 ; worked
on Tribune and Bulletin.
Initiated Into Providence Typographical
Union on Dates Named:
FRED BAINTON, April 29, 1888.
WILLIAM S. BAKER, Sapt. 8, 1866.
JOHN L. BANNON, March 29, 1896.
CHARLES BARDENS, Jan. 9, 1864.
EZRA A. BAXTER, April 5, 1888.
THOMAS E. BENNETT, Feb. 26, 1893.
C. E. BIDWELL, Oct. 12, 1861.
XVI
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
FRANK BODWELL, July 13, 1872.
DOVER H. BOST, Oct. 10, 1868.
NORVAL B. BOWERS, Aug. 8, 1868.
SAMUEL, M. BOWER, April 15, 1883.
GEORGE F. BRADLEY, Jan. 15, 1870.
ELMO G. BRADLEY ; withdrew I. T. U.
card Dec. 8, 1906.
GEORGE F. BRANNON, Dec. 12, 1868.-
JOHN D. BRIDGES, Dec. 11, 1869.
GEORGE N. BROOKS, July 30, 1899.
GEORGE W. BROWN, May 17, 1888.
HENRY BROWN, March 30, 1889.
B. C. BUFFUM, Jan. 31, 1897; also by
card April 29, 1900.
WILLIAM F. BURKE, Dec. 30, 1888.
Admitted by Card on Dates Named:
MICHAEL BACHMAN, Jan. 30, 1J884.
MAURICE BAIN, May, 1885.
CHARLES BAKER, July 25, 1897.
WILLIAM BAKER, Jan. 30, 1898.
LOUIS BALLIN; deposited I. T. U.
card April 19, 1907 ; withdrew same April
30, 1907.
ALEXANDER H. BARKER, June 26,
1892.
WILLIAM C. BARRINGER, July 13,
1872.
JOHN A. BARWOOD, June 24, 1900.
MORRIS S. BEANE, November, 1888.
F. P. BENNETT, Boston card, May 11,
1872.
W. D. BENT, JR., Decembsr, 1883.
JOSEPH F. BEYER, June, 1889.
ARTHUR C. BIERCE, Feb. 27, 1884.
E. M. BILLINGS, Dec. 29, 1895.
JOHN BLACK, April 12, 1871.
WILLIAM H. BLACKHURST, July,
1888.
WILLIAM BLAIR, March, 1888.
JOHN BLANCH, Feb. 28, 1897.
W. R. BLEAKMORE, April 22, 1883.
C. W. BOBO ; worked on Evening Trib-
une in June, 1906 ; deposited I. T. U. card
June 13.
EUGENE BOOTH ; from Hartford in 70's.
E. E. BOWERS, January, 1889.
ROBERT T. BOYLE, Oct. 8, 1870.
F. L. BRADEN, July, 1887.
HORACE B. BRADLEY, April 8, 1871.
M. J. BRADY, June 8, 1872.
THOMAS BRAZELL, May, 1886.
E. B. BRECK, December, 1888.
H. C. BREGGEMAN, Feb. 14, 1874.
E. J. BRENNAN, June, 1886 ; May,
1888.
JOHN F. BRENNAN, Dec. 12, 1868.
THOMAS BRETT, June 9, 1873.
E. BRIMMER, from Harrisburg, Pa.,
June 13, 1868.
FRED E. BROWN, April 22, 1883
(dead).
J. P. BROWN, Sept. 27, 1891.
WILLIAM BROWN, Dec. 12, 1874.
JOSEPH A. BRYAN, April 30, 1884.
W. P. BRYAN, July 28, 1901.
WILLIAM J. BRYANT, September,
1888.
JOHN C. BURKE, Nov.' 27, 1892.
S. H. BURKETT, Dec. 14, 1872.
J. J. BURNS, Oct. 12, 1874.
JOHN BUTLER, from New York, May
13, 1871.
Names from Providence Directory:
AUGUSTUS N. BERRY — 1859-61.
MARTIN V. ELY— 1853 and 1854
worked at 29 Market square; 1856 at 3
South Main street.
ALBERT E. BOWERS — 1850 worked at
15 Market square; 1855 at Journal job
office.
STEPHEN H. BRANCH — 1830 ; in 1832
he was clerk at Post Office and in 1838
agent Cloth Hall Co.
WILLIAM A. BROWN — 1828 worked
at 9 Market square.
WILLIAM E. BROWN— 1850 to 1857.
CHARLES J. BURR — 1850 worked on
Daily Post.
Printers Known to Have Worked in Provi-
dence :
MARY E. BARTON (of Warren, R. I.) ;
granted honorable withdrawal card April
26, 1903.
W. D. BA^TABLE; at Journal office
in 1884-85.
A. C. BENTLEY ; name in 1870 consti-
tution.
H. E. BLANCHARD; January, 1885.
ALFRED BOTTOMLEY; worked in
this city fall of 1906.
JOSEPH BOWDITCH; in New York
city in 1906.
DANIEL BOWEN ; began his appren-
ticeship with John Cartsr, April 14, 1774.
FRANK BOWMAN; worked in Provi-
dence in 1906.
JOHN BRADY; at Journal office 1860-
65 ; reported dead.
SAMUEL W. BURBANK — Died Provi-
dence Sspt. 24, in his 33d year.
CHARLES BURRILL (colored) ; at A.
Crawford Greene's in 1862 and later.
H. D. BURRILL ; at Journal Office in
1873; belonged in Grand Rapids, Mich.
JOHN H. CADIGAN — Born Spring-
field, Mass., April 10, 1862 ; learned print-
ing on Springfield Republican ; came to
Providence in 1880 to witness the Hop
Bitters regatta and worked on the Star
and the Sunday papers in that year, and
off and on in this city since ; now copy-
holder on Bulletin ; admitted by card to
Providence Union Sept. 27, 1891.
JOHN CAIRNS — Born Quebec City,
P. Q. ; learned printing in Toronto, Can..
on the Telegraph and Mail, beginning in
1870 ; admitted to Providence Union by
card April, 1886. "I travelled a great deal
and have worked in 20 States; am leav-
ing Toronto (1904). for 'Old Virginia.1
going into the stock-raising business ;
quit the 'road' in 1891 ; expect to spend
the rest of my days on the stock farm
with a good withdrawal card of I. T. U.
hanging framed in my bed room. Ad-
dress will be 'Cismont P. O., Albemarle
Co., Va.' "
THE JOURNEYMEN
XVII
W. O. CALDWELL — Died Worcester,
Mass., April 11, 1904. He was born in
that city in 1851, and learned the print-
ing trade there. His father was also a
printer. Mr. Caldwell's card was depos-
ited in Providence Union Oct. 12, 1872,
and he worked in the office of the Morn-
ing Herald. For 25 years he was in the
employ of the Worcester Spy, and was
foreman of the composing room for a
large portion of the time. He was em-
ployed on the Worcester Telegram at the
time of his death, and for about six years
before. He was a member of Worcester
Typographical Union.
ARCHIE CAMERON — Born Almonte,
Ont., April 8, 1858; learned printing in
Gazette office in that town, beginning in
1872 ; worked in Providence in winter of
1885-86, and was admitted by card to No.
33 Dec. 27, 1885; at present (1904) em-
ployed on the Jersey City Journal.
FRANCIS H. CAMPBELL — Born New
York city Feb. 26, 1864 ; began learning
to care for linotype machines in 1891 at
Mergenthaler factory, Brooklyn, N. Y. ;
worked on The Wheel, New York city ;
Glen's Falls Times, both the Troy Times
and the Record, and Meriden (Conn.)
Record ; admitted by card to Providence
Union at the June meeting, 1907 ; worked
on Journal summer of 1907.
JOHN H. CAMPBELL — Born Phenix,
R. I., May 27, 1849. The family moved
to Providence in 1856, and it was in this
city, in the office of the Evening Press,
that he learned printing. From a night
"sit" on the Star he went to the fore-
manship of the North Attleboro Chroni-
cle in 1876. Later, in partnership with
Rexaben E. Capron, he started the Paw-
tuxet Valley Gleaner in his native town
of Phenix. Shortly after he became its
sole owner and continued in that con-
nection until his death, Feb. 11, 1904.
Mr. Campbell was a representative in the
General Assembly from Warwick for
three years, 1891-93. He was initiated
into Providence Union Nov. 9, 1872, and
retained his membership until 1877.
JOHN W. CAMPBELL — Born Alexan-
dria, Va., Sept. 5, 1846 ; learned printing
in office of McGill & Witherous, Wash-
ington, D. C., beginning in 1865 ; worked
in Providence in 1868-69 ; at present
(1905) at Union Printers' Home, Colorado.
JOSEPH H. CAMPBELL — Born Natick,
R. I., June 18, 1873 ; learned printing on
the Pawtucket Times, beginning in 1888;
worked in Providence on the Telegram
and News ; initiated into Providence
Union May 17, 1888 ; in New York city he
worked on the Sun until the strike (Aug.
5, 1899) ; now employed on Evening
Journal of that city.
WILLIAM CAMPBELL — Born Natick,
R. I., Dec. 18. 1869: learned printing at
K. L. Freeman & Son's, Central Falls ;
initiated into Providence Union July 30,
1893 ; worked in Providence from 1887 to
1900, and the two latter years had charge
of United States Government Stamp
Department at J. C. Hall's ; at present
employed in Pawtucket police depart-
ment.
PERCY J. CANTWELL — Born Souris,
P. E. I., June 21, 1879; learned printing
at Charlottetown, P. E. I., beginning in
1893 ; became a member of Providence
Union June 30, 1901, by card ; came out
of the What Cheer office in the effort for
eight hours in 1906, and for some time
was chairman of the strikers ; President
No. 33 in 1907 ; at present on Evening
Bulletin.
WILLIAM P. CANTWELL — Born Bos-
ton, Mass., Nov. 16, 1875 ; learned print-
ing in Charlottetown, P. E. I., beginning
April, 1890; admitted to Providence
Union by card at August meeting, 1906 ;
linotype operator on Journal.
FRANK J. CAPRON — Born Providence
Dec. 15, 1868 ; learned printing at Journal
office, beginning in 1887 ; admitted to
Providence Union Sept. 29, 1889, as an
apprentice ; worked in this city until
June, 1898, and later on the Boston Her-
ald, Pawtucket Times and Worcester
Telegram ; returned to Evening Bulletin
in 1906.
WILLIAM H. CAPRON — Born Provi-
dence Nov. 25, 1849 ; learned printing on
Evening Press, beginning in 1869 ; initi-
ated into Providence Union Dec. 14. 1872,
and admitted by card May 31, 1883, re-
maining in this city until 1890 ; now in
New York city.
ALFRED H. CAREY — Born 1854;
learned printing in Providence ; initiated
into Providence Union Dec. 30, 1900.
JAMES CAREY — Worked in the
Gazette office in Providence in 1826, and
from 1832 to 1841 his name appears in
the Directory as working at 15 Market
square. In 1848 a James Carey was
prominent in the formation of the Boston
Union. His portrait is in the Boston
Souvenir, issued in 1898. He is buried in
Mt. Hope Cemetery, in the printers'
burial lot.
FRANCIS Y. CARLISLE — In 1825
bought from William G. Goddard the
American, and in partnership with H. H.
Brown consolidated it with the Gazette.
Other papers were absorbed and changes
made in the partnership until in 1829 the
first daily newspaper printed in Provi-
dence was issued by the firm. In the
latter part of 1829 Carlisle sold his inter-
est to Daniel Mowry, 3d, and went into
the brokerage business. The following
reminiscence is interesting in connection
with his subsequent career : John L.
Clark was engaged in a brokerage busi-
ness in the city of Providence, selling
lottery tickets. He became involved in
the affairs of the Burrillville Bank. The
bank was incorporated in 1818. Mr.
XVIII
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
Clark's connection with it began in Sep-
tember, 1831, when he was made Presi-
dent. Its circulation was then $2000.
Seven months later, in April, 1832, its
circulation had increased to $56,000, and
it then failed. In March, a month before
the failure, Clark removed all the books
to Providence and cut from them all
leaves bearing entries of bills delivered
to himself, but these leaves were after-
ward recovered. Clark ran away, but
was arrested in New York in May, 1832,
and brought back. He was tried in
March, 1834, and sentenced to pay a fine
of $5000 and to stand committed until the
fine was paid. The General Assembly at
the January session (1835) remitted the
fine and he was released upon his making
an assignment of his property to com-
missioners who had been elected by the
General Assembly to close the affairs of
the Burrillville Bank. It took 12 years to
finish its labors, but cost only $500, to be
divided between three. The principal
assets of the bank consisted of notes and
indorsements of Francis Y. Carlisle, who
was a clerk in the office of Mr. Clark.
Long litigation followed with Carlisle,
which resulted in the commissioners' ob-
taining judgment against him for an
amount over $100,000. A compromise was
finally made with him, he giving bonds to
redeem the circulation and pay the other
debts against the bank, with the excep-
tion of such debts as might be due Clark,
he being the only real stockholder. Clark
committed suicide July 26, 1836. He was
then 31 years old. Carlisle continued for
two or three years, endeavoring to grasp
the business which Clark had left, and in
the meantime purchasing the bills of the
Burrillville Bank, which he was bound to
redeem. He finally left Providence and
travelled through the South and West,
writing occasional letters to the Journal.
ROBERT W. CARLISLE — Born Ban-
gor, Me., Feb. 4, 1853; learned printing in
office of Whig and Courier of that city,
beginning in 1 869 ; first came to Provi-
dence in 1873; ch-irter member at the
reorganization in 1883; held cases on the
Journal and Star and for a time was a
"sub" on the Telegram ; was employed at
the Norwood Press (Norwood, Mass.) in
1904.
CYRIL A. CARPENTER — Died Sept.
3, 1865, aged 52 years; from the Direc-
tory of 1832 it is learned that he was a
printer, working at 12 Market square ; in
1835 he published for a short time the
Weekly Visitor; in 1841 ship news collec-
tor for the Journal ; in 1854-55 marine
reporter for Morning Post ; became a
bookkeeper in 1856.
GEORGE MOULTON CARPENTER —
Born Portsmouth, R. I., April 22, 1844 ;
died suddenly from apoplexy at Katwijk
aan Zee, in Holland, July 31, 1896. He
was educated in the public schools of
New Bedford and Providence, graduated
from Brown University in 1864 and ad-
mitted to the bar of Rhode Island in
1867. He was elected Associate Justice
of the Supreme Court of the State in
1882, and Jan. 1, 1885, was appointed by
President Arthur, Judge of the United
States District Court for the District of
Rhode Island, which last position he
occupied at the time of his death. In
November, 1885, Judge Carpenter was
the fifth member of the Board of Arbi-
tration which settled a question in dis-
pute between organized labor and the
Providence Journal. He had been selected
by the four other members, A. D. Chace
and Lucian Sharpe for the Journal and
John P. Horan and James A. McKay for
organized labor. At the December meet-
ing (1885) of Providence Typographical
Union Judge Carpenter was elected to
honorary membership and later accepted
the honor in a letter to the Union. An
extended obituary of Judge Carpenter is
to be found in Vol. V., 1897, "Publica-
tions R. I. Hist Society," p. 62.
EDWARD CARR — Died Newport Aug.
25, 1837, aged 38 years; served his ap-
prenticeship in the office of the Rhode
Island Republican, beginning in 1812.
The paper was then published by Col.
William Simons, at Newport. When Mr.
Simons came to Providence Mr. Carr
came with him and worked on the
Patriot and Republican-Herald, living in
his employer's family all the time, as was
the custom in those days.
STEPHEN CARR — Died Pawtuxet,
R. I., Saturday, March 31, 1832, aged 20
years. He served an apprenticeship in
the printing office of the Providence
Patriot.
WILLIAM E. CARR — Born Taunton,
Mass., in 1880; learned printing in that
'city ; admitted to Providence Union by
card Dec. 21, 1902; linotype operator on
Tribune.
CHARLES CARROLL — Born Provi-
dence June 8, 1876 ; learned printing in
Journal office ; joined Providence Union
in April, 1903 ; educated in Providence
public schools ; at Brown University,
whence he was graduated. A. B., in 1898,
second in class of 120 ; and at Harvard
Law School, whence he was graduated,
LL. B., in 1901 ; editor of Brown Daily
Herald, 1897-98; member of Rhode Island
Alpha of Phi Beta Kappa ; financial sec-
retary of Union during eight-hour effort
in 1906-07 ; delegate to I. T. U. conven-
tion, Hot Springs, 1907 ; admitted to
Rhode Island bar 1901.
HUGH F. CARROLL — Born Provi-
dence in 1871 ; learned printing in J. A.
& R. A. Reid's, beginning Nov. 1, 1887 ;
initiated into No. 33 March 27, 1892 ;
was foreman of Remington Printing Co.
at time of effort for eight hours in 1906,
and soon joined the ranks of the journey-
men ; in 1907 established the Providence
Printing Co., of which he is manager.
This firm secured the contract for print-
ing the Fiftieth Anniversary Souvenir of
Providence Typographical Union.
THE JOURNEYMEN
XIX
JOHN A. CARROLL — Died Pawtucket
Jan. 11, 1900, aged 43 years. He was
initiated into Providence Union Sept. 26,
1897. He was brother to Hon. Hugh J.
Carroll of Pawtucket.
JOHN P. CARROLL — Born Providence
March 16, 1880. He began to learn print-
ing in 1898, in ths Journal office, where
he is now night foreman ; initiated into
Providence Union June, 1903. He is a
graduate of Providence high school and
entered Brown University with the class
of 1903, but did not graduate.
ROBERT F. CARROLL — Born Provi-
dence in 1884; learned printing at E. A.
Johnson Co., beginning in 1905 ; admit-
ted to Providence Union Nov. 26, 1905 ;
participated in the effort for the eight-
hour day in 1906 ; now bank man on
Evening Bulletin.
WILLIAM CARROLL — Born Jewett
City, Conn., April 27, 1853 ; began to
learn printing in the office of the Press
in New London, Conn., in 1868, and
afterward worked in Meriden on the Re-
publican as a two-thirder until 1863,
when he worked in Norwich, Conn., join-
ing the Union in that city in January,
1870. From Norwich he went to Willi-
mantic, Conn., working there on th? Jour-
nal, and later to New York city, where
he worked on the first issue of John Rus-
sell Young's Standard, the New York
Herald and Times, and in George
Lafaye's office. In the summer of 1871
he made a trip West, stopping to work in
the cities of Pittsburg, Pa., Columbus, O.,
Lafayette, Ind., Chicago, 111., Milwaukee,
Wis., Grand Rapids and Detroit, Mich.
He came to Providence Sept. 28, 1872.
His card was deposited Dec. 14, 1872. He
worked first on the Morning Herald, and
later on ths Journal, Press and Star and
Sunday Dispatch. He was foreman of
the Star, and also its city editor, in 1886.
Jan. 1, 1887, he began working on the
Journal, getting a frame in 1889, and in
the same year learned the linotype
machine. He was promoted to the fore-
manship of the Sunday Journal in Feb-
ruary, 1890, and shortly after became
foreman of the entire composing room.
He was recording secretary of the Union
in 1876 ; delegate to the International in
1885, where he introduced and engineered
the passage of ths Strike Fund Law ;
President of No. 33 in 1892. He has
taken an active interest in politics, and
was chairman of the Democratic city
committee in 1891-92. In the former year
the party elected its candidate for Mayor,
the first time in 38 years. He introduced
and had passed by the committee during
his chairmanship rules for the reform
and government of the Democratic cau-
cusas that have since been adopted in
principle by the Legislature of the State
for the regulation of political caucuses in
Providence. At the December (1903)
meeting of No. 33 he introduced the reso-
lution providing for the appointment of a
committee to prepare for the observance
of the 50th anniversary of the institution
of Providence Union, and was elected
chairman of that committee.
DAVID E. CARTER — Born South
Attleboro, Mass., Aug. 30, 1880; learned
trade at E. L. Freeman & Son's, Central
Falls, beginning August, 1834 ; worked on
Evening Bulletin ; now employed on Bos-
ton Transcript.
EDWARD A. CARTER — Born Boston,
Mass., March 10, 1845. Th- family re-
moved to Illinois in 1855. Young Edward
entered the office of the Urbana Union
in 1858, where he worked until Decem-
ber, 1861, part of which time was put in
on the Urbana Clarion,, the Illinois
Zephyr and a paper called Our Constitu-
tion. He went into the Army in Janu-
ary, 1862, joining the 26th Illinois Infan-
try as drummer, and the regiment went
into every Southern State except Texas
and Florida. "Ned" saw service at Island
No. 10, Corinth, Miss., Vicksburg, Chatta-
nooga, Atlanta, "Sherman's march to the
sea," Savannah, the Carolinas, the grand
review in Washington at the close of the
war, and was mustered out in July, 1865.
Then he again took up the "stick and
rule," this time in Boston. He came to
Providence in 1868, was admitted to No.
33 June 13 of that year, and worked on
the Evening Press and the Journal.
When the Morning Star was started, Dec.
6, 1869, he became its first foreman. He
was afterward foreman of the Providence
Herald and Worcester Press, but did his
last "typesetting" on the Boston Herald.
He went into the wholesale milk business
in this city in 1877 and into the ice busi-
ness in 1830. He is now senior member
of the Hughesdale Ice Company (Carter
& Hohler), located at 12 Merino street.
GEORGE CARTER — Born England
May 23, 1844 ; came to America in July,
1857 ; learned printing in Port Hope,
Can. ; served in the Army during the
Civil War ; after the war went to Erie,
Pa., where he joined the Typographical
Union and worked on the Dispatch ; ad-
mitted to Providence Union by card Aug.
10, 1867 ; worked on the Evening Press
until February, 1870, when he went to
New York city, where he has remained
since ; now on the Times.
JOHN CARTER (a) — Died Providence
Aug. 19, 1814, aged 69 years. He was a
native of Philadelphia, where he served
an apprenticeship to the printing trade
in Dr. Benjamin Franklin's office. He
came to Providence in 1767 to work as
a journeyman in the Gazette office, then
owned by Mrs. Sarah Goddard, and on
Sept. 1^ of that year he became a part-
ner in the' business. Nov. 12, 1768, he
became sole owner, and continued as
such until Nov. 2, 1798, when William
Wilkinson was associated with him, and
the business was extended to include
bookselling, etc. The partnership expired
Mav 9, 1899, Mr. Carter resuming com-
plete control of the printing department
XX
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
and Mr. Wilkinson the bookselling busi-
ness. From this date until he finally
retired from business, in February, 1814,
Mr. Carter was editor and proprietor of
the Gazette and owner of the printing
business connected with it. He was
Postmaster for the town from July 4,
1772, until June 16, 1792. His connection
with the Gazette lasted for more than
46 years, and during that time the "paper
was remarkable for accuracy of execu-
tion and correctness of sentiment and
principle." He was buried in St. John's
churchyard, North Main street, where
later a monument was erected to his
memory by his daughters. One son (John)
was a printer.
WILLIAM MAGEE CARTER — Born
about 1850; learned printing in office of
Paterson (N. J. ) Daily Guardian; came
to Providence in 1872 and while here was
identified with the firms of Chapman &
Carter and R. I. Printing Co. Died some
years ago.
GEORGE F. CARTWRIGHT — Partici-
pated in eight-hour effort in 1906; where-
abouts unknown.
JOHN P. CASE — Born Kingston,
R. I., Jan. 5, 1831 ; learned printing in
Providence, beginning in 1846 ; worked in
this city on the Transcript when it was
published by Greene & Shaw ; George W.
Danielson was foreman of the paper ; at
present (1905> in the undertaking busi-
ness at Wakefield, R. I.
WILLET F. CASEY — Born Napanee,
Ont., Jan. 4, 1859; learned printing in
Toronto, Ont., beginning in 1875; initi-
ated into Providence Union Nov. 30, 1865 ;
worked on the Journal a few months and
was afterward foreman of the Sunday
Dispatch when published by Remington &
Corbett ; employed on the Boston Globe
(1907).
PATRICK A. C ASHMAN — Born Provi-
dence June 12, 1878; learned printing in
office of Telegram ; was obligated in the
Union Sept. 29, 1901 ; at present located
on the Evening Tribune.
THOMAS J. CASHMAN — Born Provi-
dence in 1886; began to learn printing in
1903 at Remington's; participated in the
effort for the eight-hour day in 1906. Now
employed in Providence.
JAMES F. CAVENY — Born Riverpoint,
R. I., Aug. 12, 1874 ; learned printing at
What Cheer Printing Co., beginning in
1889.
WILLIAM N. CHADSEY — Born Wor-
cester, Mass., 1854 ; learned printing in
Journal job office, this city ; was one of
the original partners in the printing firm
of E. A. Johnson & Co. ; member of the
firm of Chadsey & Clarke from 1881 to
1893 ; now in business of drain laying in
this city.
GEORGE F. CHAPMAN — Born Oct. 19,
1845, at Euclid, O. (a suburb of Cleve-
land, O. ) His story follows: "Jan. 2,
1859, commenced my apprenticeship on
the Ashtabula Telegraph, published by
James Reed, at Ashtabula, O. The first
year I received a gold dollar for my
services besides my board. The second
year I got a little spending money and
some wearing apparel. Before the expira-
tion of the third year I went to Cleveland,
O., and worked in the Ben Franklin job
office for a time, and in the newspaper
offices of the Herald, Leader and Plain-
dealer. On the Plaindealer I worked at
the frame once held by Artemus Ward.
From there I went to Norwalk, O., and
worked for a year or more on the Experi-
ment, a rank Copperhead sheet, as it was
then considered. About every week the
editor was threatened with mob violence.
The editor and proprietor, W. W. Red-
field, and myself were the only force. I
lodged in a little room adjoining the
office and was furnished with a battery
of two navy revolvers and an old flint-
lock musket. I was told to shoot to kill
the first person that broke in, but the
threats were never carried out. I re-
turned to Cleveland in the spring of 1863
and soon after enlisted in the 150th Ohio
Volunteers, served for 100 days, was dis-
charged and re-enlisted in the 177th Ohio
Regiment and served until the close of
the Civil War. Soon after my second
enlistment I was on detail service until
the end. My first detail was Colonel's
orderly. From there I served on the
staffs of General Milroy and General Ros-
seau in Tennessee, and later on the staff
of General Schofield. After the war I
went to work on the Cleveland Morning
Leader for a short time ; then in the
Leader job room ; from there to Evans,
Powell & Co., where I became foreman.
In the spring of 1868 I left Cleveland and
came East, reaching New York city late
in the summer. There I went to work
for Thitchener & Glostaeter, who were
then turning out some remarkable pro-
ductions of typographical art. Here I met
William M. Carter. I left T. and G. for a
position with the New York Economical
Printing Co., 194 Fulton street, one of
the largest printing plants at that time
in New York. I was with the Economi-
cal until the spring of 1872, the last two
years as foreman. In the fall of 1872
William M. Carter and myself started a
small printing plant at 60 Weybosset
street, Providence, as Chapman & Carter.
We met with success from the start. In
September, 1873, the R. I. Printing Co.
was formed, composed of Chapman &
Carter, Bugbee & Hall and Charles C.
Gray. Our business increased every day
from the start, and it was not long before
the R. I. Printing Co. was noted through-
out New England for turning out remark-
ably fine printing. William M. Carter.
Jennison C. Hall and John E. Bugbee
have all three passed over the divide.
Mr. C. C. Gray, now sole proprietor of
the R. I. Printing Co., and myself are
all that is left of the old firm. I sold
THE JOURNEYMEN
XXI
my stock in the concern in 1881 to Mr.
Gray and embarked in another business,
but not with success. In 1884 I again
started in the printing business at 27
Pine street as George F. Chapman & Co. ;
was in business about three years, and
sold out. Since then have been at work
on the Evening Telegram and Tribune
until April of this year, when I changed
to the Evening Bulletin." Mr. Chapman
has been a member of Cleveland Union,
No. 53, Big Six, and became a member
of Providence Union Feb. 24, 1901.
HARVEY CHAPPELL — Born Troy,
N. Y., Oct. 21, 1862 ; learned printing in
office of Troy Times, beginning in 1880 ;
worked in Providence a few days in
February, 1887 ; at present a resident of
Lynn, Mass., and employed on Boston
American.
FRANKLIN A. CHASE — Born P'all
River, Mass., May 20, 1835 ; learned print-
ing on Fall River News ; came to Provi-
dence in the early 50's and worked on
the Morning Mirror and later on the
Tribune ; left the printing business about
1860 and went into the counting room of
the Tribune. In 1861 enlisted in the 4th
R. I. Regiment as Second Lieutenant and
rose to the rank of Captain (Co. K) ;
was severely wounded in 1864 while the
regiment was before Petersburg ; mus-
tered out Oct. 14, 1864. Then Mr. Chase
took a position as bookkeeper with Pot-
ter, Anthony & Denison ; has since been
in the banking business with Brown &
Frieze up to 1872 ; then teller in Rhode
Island National Bank until 1886 ; then
made cashier and continued there until
bank was consolidated with others in
1901 ; now retired.
FRANK B. CHASE — Born Little Comp-
ton, R. I., in 1864 ; learned printing in
office of R. I. Printing Co., beginning in
1884, where he is at present employed.
WILLIAM E. CHASE — Born North-
ampton, Vt., April 22, 1843; learned print-
ing in Elkhart, Ind. ; worked in Provi-
dence on Journal in 1880; also in every
State in the Union except Maine ; last
employed in Lowell, Mass. ; now touring
the country.
WILLIAM H. CHENERY — Born Ux-
bridge, Mass., Sept. 7, 1842; began to
learn printing in 1856 in the Journal job
office; December, 1861, enlisted in Co.
D, 5th R. I. Infantry; participated in the
operations of the Burnside expedition and
was promoted to the rank of sergeant ;
in 1863 he was commissioned First Lieu-
tenant in the 14th R. I. Heavy Artillery
(colored) and served with that regiment
in Louisiana until its return home and
disbandment in October, 1865. Mr. Chen-
ery resumed work at his trade after the
war, first with the Providence Press Co.,
and from 1869 to 1874 as member of the
firm of Hammond, Angell & Co. In the
latter year he became foreman of J. A.
& R. A. Reid's book room and remained
there 13 years ; afterward he was em-
ployed by the R. I. Printing Co., and at
E. L. Freeman & Son's until 1888, when
he became foreman of Snow & Farn-
ham's book room, where he is at present
employed. He became a member of Provi-
dence Union May 12, 1866 ; treasurer in
1867-68.
FRANCIS CHESHIRE — Participated in
eight-hour effort in 1906.
HARRY CHIPMAN — Participated in
effort for eight-hour day in 1906 ; press-
feeder.
FRANK CHRISTMAS — Participated in
effort for eight-hour day in 1906.
AMBROSE H. CHOQUET — Born Mon-
treal, Can., Dec. 13, 1871 ; learned print-
ing in Plattsburg, N. Y., beginning May
1, 1886 ; admitted to Providence Union by
card Nov. 27, 1892 ; worked in this city
in 1890-92 and 1898-1901 on the Journal,
Telegram, News and Olneyyille Times ;
also worked on Pawtuxet Valley Gleaner
and in New York city and in Worcester,
Mass. ; at present located in Pawtucket.
JOSEPH H. CHOQUET — Born Mon-
treal, Can., Aug. 10, 1869 ; learned print-
ing at Plattsburg, N. Y., beginning in
1888 ; worked in Montreal, Albany, Troy,
Worcester, New York city, Pawtucket and
Providence, where he learned to operate
a linotype ; admitted to Providence Union
Sept. 27, 1891 ; now employed on Provi-
dence Journal.
CHARLES R. CHRISTIE — Born Truro,
N. S. ; learned printing in the office of
the News Publishing Co. of that town ;
initiated into Providence Union April 27,
1902 ; participated in the effort for eight
hours in 1906 ; at present employed on
the Bulletin.
GEORGE CLARKE — Died Newport,
R. I. Nov. 15, 1895 ; he was admitted to
Providence Union by card May 29, 1892,
and had been employed on the Newport
Herald.
JAMES CLARKE — Born Dublin, Ire-
land, May 1. 1860; learned printing in
office of the Dublin Evening Post, begin-
ning in 1874 ; in the United States he first
worked on the Woonsocket Reporter and
later on the Providence Telegram during
the first year of its existence; in 1880
he went to New Bedford, where he now
resides ; he is a charter member of New
Bedford Union, No. 276.
JOHN W. CLARKSON — Died Roxbury,
Mass., March 6. 1901. He was born in
Lowell. Mass. ; learned printing in Nashua,
N. H. ; admitted to Providence Union by
card April 22, 1883, and again in June,
1888; worked on the Journal and Star;
was a linotype operator on the Boston
Herald at time of death. Ten bearers
and a large delegation of friends accom-
panied the remains to Nashua, N. H.,
where he was buried.
XXII
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
GEORGE CLAYTON — Born Hyde,
Cheshire, England, Nov. 30, 1862 ; learned
printing in office of the North Cheshire
Herald, published in that town, begin-
ning in 1875 ; was apprenticed for seven
years, but in July, 1880, the contract was
cancelled on payment of £50, when he
came to Providence and has worked here
since ; initiated into No. 33 March 20,
1885; at present is employed on the
Evening Tribune as proofreader.
JAMES L. CLERIHEW — Born Aber-
deen, Scotland, April 19, 1880; learned
printing on the Aberdeen Journal, begin-
ning in 1895; admitted to the Typographi-
cal Society in 1899 and worked in Aber-
deen until June, 1906, when he came to
Providence ; admitted to Providence Union
July, 1906.
ROBERT J. CLOWES — Born Alice
Town, South Africa, Nov. 28, 1852 ; began
to learn printing in Phenix, R. L, in
1869, and finished his apprenticeship in
Pawtucket in 1873 ; he then came to
Providence and was initiated into No. 33
Sept. 12, 1874, and again (after the reor-
ganization) June 28, 1885 ; he worked on
the Journal, Press and Star, Telegram
and at Snow & Farnham's ; also in
Worcester for a short time in the 70's,
and at present is employed on the Eve-
ning Record in Norwich, Conn.
CHARLES W. CLUGSTON— Born 1876 ;
learned trade in printing offices in Liver-
pool, England, and Glasgow, Scotland ;
initiated into Providence Union Feb. 28,
1904.
JOHN COAN — Learned printing with
A. Crawford Greene in Providence ; initi-
ated into No. 33 on April 9, 1870; worked
in Dayton, O. ; located in Walla Walla,
Wash., in 1905.
ELMER E. COBB — Initiated into Provi-
dence Union April 28, 1901 ; learned
printing in Attleboro, Mass., beginning in
1894.
BEDFORD PYM CODRINGTON — Born
Kingston, Jamaica, W. I., Jan. 14, 1869 ;
learned printing in De Land, Fla. ; initi-
ated into Providence Union Sept. 24,
1889 ; now located in New York city.
GEORGE COGGESHALL — Probably
born Bristol, R. I., where he learned
printing ; initiated into Providence Union
Dec. 15, 1867 ; admitted by card again
Aug. 27, 1884, when he worked on Jour-
nal ; supposed to be located in Hartford,
Conn.
JAMES H. COGGESHALL — Born Bris-
tol, R. I. ; learned the printing trade in
that town ; worked in Providence from
1871 to 1888 as a job compositor; at
present publisher of the Standard at
Wickford, R. I.
CHARLES A. COLE — Born Sterling,
Neb., Nov. 8, 1870, where he also learned
the trade of printer; worked in Provi-
dence from April, 1896, in the office of
the Evening Telegram, until 1906, when
he returned to the West ; is now located
in Seattle.
JOHN COLEMAN — Born Boyle, County
Roscommon, Ireland, June, 1878 ; learned
the printing trade on the Roscommon
Herald, beginning work in 1892 ; came to
Rhode Island in 1903, having been dis-
placed in Ireland by the introduction of
linotype machines ; here he worked on
the Pawtuxet Valley Gleaner ; he was
elected a member of No. 33 March 27,
1904.
RHODES T. W. COLLINS — Died Provi-
dence March 28, 1882, aged 38 years. He
was a native of Warwick, R. I., enlisted
in Co. F, 4th R. I. Vols., in October, 1861 ;
discharged October, 1864 ; initiated into
Providence Union Dec. 10, 1870, and on
its roll in 1877 ; he was also a member
and Adjutant .of Prescott Post, G. A. R.,
at time of his death ; 40 members of the
post attended his funeral ; interment was
at North Burying Ground.
WILLIAM COLWELL — Born Lonsdale,
R. L, March 18, 1878; learned printing
on Evening Telegram, Providence, begin-
ning Jan. 1, 1900; away from trade 2%
years studying bleaching and dyeing ;
now employed on Evening .Tribune ; mem-
ber of Providence Union.
FREDERICK CONEFY — Born 1872;
learned printing in office of Evening
News at Taunton, Mass., beginning in
1888; worked in Providence for Alber-
type Co. ; applied for membership in
Taunton Union November, 1900.
THOMAS P. CONNERY — Born Bristol,
R. L, and learned printing there, begin-
ning in 1890; initiated into Providence
Union Sept. 30, 1894, and worked in this
city four months ; at present located in
Bristol.
JOHN F. CONNORS — Died in Provi-
dence Feb. 2, 1883, in his 28th year;
learned printing on the Morning Herald,
beginning in 1872 ; was a member of
Providence Union in 1878 ; worked on
Evening Telegram previous to his last
sickness.
JOSEPH CONNORS — Born Halifax,
N. S., March 23, 1850 ; learned printing in
office of Providence Journal, beginning
in 1870; went to New York city in 1872,
where he joined No. 6 ; admitted to
Providence Union by card Oct. 12, 1874 ;
has been a continuous member of No. 6
since 1883 and is No. 633.
BENJAMIN CONWAY — Born Provi-
dence Aug. 26, 1884 ; learned printing at
Thompson & Thompson's, beginning 1904 ;
participated in eight-hour effort in April,
1906 ; now located in Providence.
PATRICK J. COOGAN — Admitted to
Providence Union by card at April meet-
ing, 1886; worked on Star and Journal;
THE JOURNEYMEN
XXIII
President of Syracuse Union in 1897-98,
latter convention year ; foreman Syracuse
Post-Standard in 1901 ; I. T. U. delegate
from Syracuse in 1902 ; now located at
Anaconda, Mont.
ROBERT E. COOKE — Died Charleston,
S. C., June 5, 1822, after a short illness,
in the 25th year of his age. The Rhode
Island American of June 25, 1822, said:
"This worthy young man served a long
apprenticeship in the office of the Provi-
dence Patriot, and subsequently worked
as a journeyman with great faithfulness
and industry. He had embarked in other
business with fair prospects and had the
best wishes of all who knew his virtues
for success. His early removal is deeply
regretted and will long be mourned by
numerous relatives and friends."
WILLIAM E. COOK — Born Boston,
Mass., March 3, 1839; learned printing
in the office of Rand & Avery in that
city, beginning in 1857 ; worked in Provi-
dence at A. Crawford Greene's and on
the Post, Journal, Press and Star ; initi-
ated into Providence Typographical Union
Nov. 14, 1863 ; vice president in 1877.
Mr. Cook enlisted in the 2d Mass. H. A.
in 1862, and served until April 5, 1865;
member of G. A. R. Post 174 of Green-
field, Mass., where he now (1904) re-
sides ; has been afflicted with creeping
paralysis since 1893.
GEORGE EDWARD COOLEY — Born
Norwich Falls, Conn., Feb. 7, 1825. He
learned the printing trade in Norwich,
Conn., and after finishing his apprentice-
ship his mother started him in business.
From there he went to Newport, where he
was married to Cynthia Anna Chapman
July 29, 1849. Then he went to Woon-
socket, where he worked on the Patriot ;
thence to Providence as foreman of the
Evening Press. Isaac Bromley induced
Mr. Cooley to go to Norwich as foreman
of the Bulletin, and when Mr. Bromley
went to Hartford to take charge of the
Evening Post Mr. Cooley went with him
as foreman. In the 70's he came back to
Providence, first as foreman of the book
department of the Evening Press and
later as foreman of the paper. When
the Press suspended Mr. Cooley worked
on the Dispatch, and later, in partnership
with George O. Willard, started the Paw-
tucket Evening Times. He was initiated
into Providence Union in August, 1858;
President in 1859 and treasurer 1862-
63-64-65. He died at the R. I. Hospital
Nov. 15, 1893.
HOWARD A. COREY — Born Mill-
town, R. I., July 3, 1887 ; learned print-
ing on the Westerly Sun and with J. J.
Ryder Co., this city, beginning in 1902 ;
worked in Providence 1903-06 ; joined the
strikers for the eight-hour day at the
expiration of apprenticeship and was ad-
mitted to Providence Union in March,
1906 ; now located in Boston.
A. F. CORRIGAN — Born Lansingburg,
N. Y., May 30, 1873 ; began learning
printing in 1887 at E. L. Freeman &
Son's, Central Falls, R. I. ; left Freeman's
in January, 1906, in effort for eight-hour
day ; admitted to Providence Union by
card November, 1906 ; now employed on
Tribune.
JOHN CORT — Born March 9, 1836, at
Littleboro, Lancashire, England. At an
early age- he entered the printing busi-
ness, being apprenticed for seven years.
He came to America in October, 1863,
and after working in New York city for
some time, eventually located in Provi-
dence. Here he worked on the Journal
and joined Providence Typographical
Union Oct. 14, 1864. In 1874, in com-
pany with Charles R. Stobbs, he pur-
chased the Webster Times. The same
year Mr. Stobbs withdrew, leaving Mr.
Cort in possession. He published the
paper up to his death, which occurred in
Worcester March 4, 1903, aged 66 years,
11 months and 27 days. Six years previ-
ous to his death his nephew, Arthur H.
Rossall (also a former member of Provi-
dence Union), was editor and manager
of the Times. Mr. Cort always led an
upright life and was generous to a fault,
and his death was deeply regretted by
the many tourists who passed through
Webster in their wanderings, and the
writer of this brief biography never
knew him to turn down a printer with a
card — always giving them enough work
to put them on their feet again, or a meal
or railroad ticket. In closing, I think the
following words, written by Albert Tyler,
editor of the Oxford (Mass.) Mid-
Weekly, and a lifelong friend, briefly
characterize the deceased : "He pub-
lished a clean paper, which carried no
immoral taint into the homes it visited.
In all his work he exhibited tact and
discretion. . . . Those who know me
will not be surprised when I declare my
conviction that so long and so useful a
life will not lose the award of God's
eternal favor."
JEREMIAH F. COURTNEY — Died
New York city April 12, 1906, aged 42
years. He was born in Lowell, Mass. ;
while employed in Providence on th3
Journal he was initiated into No. 33 May,
1887 ; soon after he went to New York,
where he worked on the Sun, Times and
Journal.
JAMES E. COX— Born Providence Feb.
23, 1879 ; learned printing in Evening
Telegram office, beginning in 1896; initi-
ated into Providence Union Feb. 24, 1901 ;
at present employed on the Tribune.
HOWARD A. CRAM — Born Providence
Aug. 21, 18-77 ; learned printing in Jour-
nal office, beginning in 1894; initiated
into No. 33 Nov. 30, 1902 ; worked in
Boston on the Journal and Herald ; one
of the organizers of the Providence Lino-
type Co.
XXIV
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
FELIX CRANE— Born Boston, Mass., in
1887 ; learned printing in office of Olney-
ville Times, 1900-03 ; worked in various
offices in Providence ; participated in the
effort for the eight-hour day in 1906.
MAURICE HENRY CRANE — Born
Providence Sept. 13, 1854; died there Nov.
25, 1905 ; learned printing in office of
Henry Tilden, beginning in 1870; initi-
ated into Providence Union May 17, 1888 ;
with the exception of about four years
spent in Boston he worked in this city
during his life ; was in the 1st R. I.
Regiment in the Spanish-American War.
AMOS B. CRANSTON — Died Provi-
dence April 6, 1880. His name appears
in the 1854 Directory as working on the
Post and in 1855 at A. Crawford Greene's
For more than 20 years before his death
he was a compositor on the Press and
Star. He was a charter member of
Providence Union in 1857 and continued
his connection with that body until its
dissolution in 1878, holding many impor-
tant offices in it. His funeral was most
impressive. About 50 of the compositors
and pressmen of the city assembled at
the business office of the Press on Sun-
day, April 11, where J. E. C. Farnham
addressed them. Then, under the marshal-
ship of Capt. C. C. Gray, they marched
in a body to the house, No. 274 High
street. Rev. Henry W. Rugg conducted
the services at the house. The floral
offering from the Press and Star was a
"Star" of white pinks and roses, across
the centre of which was the word "Press"
in blue immortelles. That from the Jour-
nal was a large pillow of fragrant white
buds and blossoms, bearing at the top the
figure 9, the "slug" the deceased had been
using, while below this was a composing
stick, made of green leaves, in which
was a single white rosebud, typical of
a "full stop." The bearers ware A. P.
Brown of the Star, H. A. Barnes of the
Press, J. E. C. Farnham of the book
department and Nathaniel Brown of the
job department of the Providence Press
Co. The following appears at the close
of the description of the funeral, proba-
bly written by George O. Willard : "Amos
B. Cranston's page of life is finished, the
last column has been made up, the proof
drawn and in ths hands of his Maker
for correction and revision preparatory
to the final adjustment. His slips are
pasted up, the stick laid aside and the
rule turned ; let us hope his string will
measure well."
BARZILLAI CRANSTON — Died Provi-
dence Oct. 26, 1867, aged 74 years, 7
months and 14 days. He was born in
Foster, R. I., in 1793 ; came to this city
when 14 years old, and learned the print-
ing trade with Jones & Wheeler. In 1819
he entered the firm and engaged in the
publication of the Patriot and Columbian
Phenix. This partnership lasted one year.
During the year 1824 he did the print-
ing for the Christian Telescope, after
which he continued in the printing busi-
ness in the firm of Cranston & Marshall,
and later in that of Cranston & Ham-
mond. He was also in partnership with
S. R. Weeden and John W. Cory, book-
sellers and publishers. He was one of the
best workmen of his day. During his life
he held many positions of honor and
trust. Was a member of the school com-
mittee and of the Common Council many
times, President of the Mechanics' Asso-
ciation, treasurer of the Rawson Foun-
tain Society and treasurer of the Citizens'
Savings Bank.
GEORGE H. CRANSTON — Died Provi-
dence Dec. 4, 1867, aged 35 years. The
Evening Press, on which he was employed
at the time of his death, said: "Origi-
nally possessed of a strong constitution,
it was undermined in the public service,
and our friend may be numbered among
those who gave life for country and
liberty." In 1860 he was employed on the
Post. He was a charter member of
Providence Typographical Union in 1857.
Its members attended his funeral in a
body.
E. FRANK CRAPON— Died Woon-
socket Sept. 7, 1872, aged 25 years, 11
months and 14 days. He learned printing
in the office of the Woonsockat Patriot ;
was initiated into Providence Union April
11, 1868.
WILLIAM CRAVEN — Born Providence
Dec. 9, 1873 ; learned printing on the
Pawtucket Times ; worked in Providence
since 1894 ; initiated into Providence
Union July 26, 1903.
GEORGE M. CRAWFORD — Born Pic-
tou, N. S., Jan. 14, 1882 ; learned print-
ing in offices of Pictou Advocate and
Remington Printing Co., this city ; came
to Providence in 1901 ; initiated into No.
33 Dec. 27, 1903.
JAMES E. CRAWFORD — Born Pictou,
N. S., Dec. 4, 1879 ; learned trade in the
Advocate office of that town ; worked in
Providence since 1898 ; initiated into No.
33 April 29, 1900.
FRANCIS V. CREAMER — Died Provi-
dence July 7, 1892, aged 30 years. He
learned printing in this city and was ad-
mitted to Providence Union April 30,
1884.
ALBERT A. CRIST — Born 1878;
learned printing at office of Anoka Times
and at Snow & Farnham's ; initiated into
Providence Union March 25, 1900.
JAMES B. CROFWELL — Born South
Coventry, Conn. ; learned printing in
Providence at George F. Chapman's and
Evening Telegram, beginning in 1888 ; ini-
tiated into Providence Union Nov. 30.
1891 ; worked on Journal in this city and
on the Herald, Post and Transcript in
Boston ; at present practicing dentistry in
Boston.
THE JOURNEYMEN
XXV
MARTIN J. CROFWELL — Born Nor-
wich, Conn., in 1875 ; served apprentice-
ship on the Evening Bulletin, beginning
in 1895, where he is at present employed,
operating a linotype machine. He became
a member of No. 33 Sept. 30, 1900.
ASA M. CROWELL — Born Providence
Jan. 20, 1857 ; learned the newspaper
pressman's trade in Journal pressroom,
beginning July 15, 1878. He tells his
story as follows : "Started as engineer
and fired the boilers and had charge of
ice water and ink fountains, and was
head devil of the pressroom ; then learned
to feed on the four and six-cylinder
presses and to make rollers ; then ap-
pointed assistant foreman, and on the
death of John J. Dwyer in 1893 was
made foreman of the pressroom." This
latter position he held 10 years ; initi-
ated into No. 33 April 29> 1888; from
1903 until 1906 he was in the employ of
the New York World. In February of
the latter year he returned to the Journal
as foreman of its pressroom.
IDA C. CROWELL — Born Providence
Dec. 11, 1869 ; learned printing in office
of E. A. Johnson & Co., beginning in
1886; worked at the business until 1891,
when she married Henry N. Burrett of
the Evening Bulletin.
WARREN E. CROWELL — Born March
7, 1875 ; learned printing in Brooklyn,
N. Y. ; worked in Providence on the
Telegram for a short time in the spring
of 1905.
JOSEPH CROWLEY — Born Providence
Jan. 13, 1878 ; learned printing on Jour-
nal, beginning in 1896 ; initiated into No.
33 Aug. 26, 1900 ; at present linotype
operator on Journal.
JOSEPH P. CULLEN— Born Westfield,
Mass., Aug. 24, 1869 ; learned printing- in
Springfield, Mass., beginning in 1885;
worked on Boston Post 1893-96 and 1905-
06 ; Pawtucket Times 1905 ; now employed
on Providence Journal ; member Provi-
dence Union.
MATTHEW J. CUMMINGS — Born
Providence 1862 ; learned printing in job
office of Evening -Press ; initiated into
Providence Union May 30, 1886 ; started
small job office on Dorrance street in
1887 ; elected Overseer of the Poor of the
city of Providence in 1889, and has been
re-elected each year since.
MATTHEW J. CURRAN — Born 1881 ;
learned printing on the Telegram, begin-
ning in 1899.
WILLIAM P. CURRAN — Born Provi-
dence March 16, 1875 ; learned printing
in office of Journal, beginning in 1892 ;
worked on the Providence News and on
Newport Herald ; at present linotype
operator on Woonsocket Call ; initiated
into Providence Union April 26, 1896.
FRANK A. CUSHMAN — Born Paw-
tucket, R. I., June 30, 1860 ; learned print-
ing in office of Pawtucket Gazette and
Chronicle, beginning in 1877 ; initiated
into New York Union in 1883 ; admitted
by card to Providence Union October,
1886 ; worked in Taunton, Mass.
CORNELIUS C. CUSICK— Born Provi-
dence Aug. 4, 1887 ; learned printing in
office of Journal, beginning in 1902 ; initi-
ated into Providence Union December,
1906 ; linotype operator on Journal.
GEORGE G. CUTTING — Claims the
distinction of being the first tourist printer
on a bicycle. He was born in Warwick,
R. I., June 22, 1865 ; learned the printing
trade on the Westerly Tribune ; worked
at E. A. Johnson & Co.'s 1885-89 ; initi-
ated into Providence Typographical Union
May 11, 1888 ; has been on executive com-
mittee and other committees ; delegate to
Allied Printing Trades and to Central
Labor Union for four years ; worked in
New York and Boston.
Initiated Into Providence Union on Dates
Named:
JOHN A. CALLAN, April 24, 1887.
JOSEPH C. CAMPBELL, Jan. 29, 1893.
P. W. CARD, Oct. 27, 1895.
RAYMOND A. CARD, March 27, 1892.
THOMAS P. CARNEY, Dec. 18, 1887.
E. CAWLINS, Oct. 10, 1868.
EUGENE F. CHASE, Oct. 29, 1887 ; by
card April, 1888.
LAWRENCE CHASE, July 11, 1868;
now a proofreader on Boston Globe.
EDWARD F. CLARKE, April 29, 1888.
PHILIP S. COFFIN, April 8, 1871.
MOSES W. COLLINS; before 1865.
THOMAS J. CONNER, Aug. 8, 1857.
GEORGE COOPER, Jan. 11, 1868.
JAMES J. COSTELLO, July 31, 1887.
JOHN F. COYLE, Sept. 11, 1869.
GEORGE E. CRANDALL, Nov. 30,
1891 ; by card Nov. 25, 1893.
W. C. CRANGLE, Nov. 27, 1892.
T. E. CURRAN, Sept. 26, 1886.
DAVID CUSHING, Nov. 9, 1873.
GEORGE W. CUSHING, July 9, 1859.
Admitted by Card on Dates Named:
ALBERT A. CADY, February, 1885.
W. H. CALKIN, July, 1888.
THOMAS G. CALLEN, April, 1887.
C. S. CAMPBELL, January, 1889.
W. H. CAMPBELL; from New York
Sept. 14/1867; June 8, 1872.
D. S. CAPUL; from Louisville, Ky.,
Sept. 14, 1867.
J. R. CARPENTER, April, 1889.
JOHN A. CARR, March 29, 1896.
W. R. CARRIGAN, September, 1887.
MICHAEL GARY, Nov. 12, 1870.
F. S. CASSELMAN, May, 1887.
JAMES E. CHANDLER, April, 1888.
H. P. CHAPLINE, November, 1888 ;
reported dead.
ALBERT W. CHAPPELL, 1874.
DANIEL CHARLTON, Sept. 14, 1872.
JOHN CHERRY, Oct. 14, 1865.
XXVI
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
JAMES A. CLARKE, April, 1886 ; Feb-
ruary 1887.
L. O. CLIFTON, March, 1886.
THADDEUS S. CLINCH; from Nor-
wich, Conn., Sept. 11, 1869.
JAMES H. COLLINS, Sept. 30, 1883 ;
August, 1886.
JOHN COLLINS, Nov. 12, 1884.
MICHAEL COLLINS, New York, May
11, 1872.
R. E. COLLINS, 1874.
WILLIAM COMYN, Sept. 30, 1883.
JOHN CONNELLY, March, 1886; re-
ported died in Albany, N. Y.
T. J. CONNOLLY, January, 1885.
CHARLES COOL, February, 1887. C.
A. Cool died at Pittsburg, Pa., Dec. 20,
1905, aged 50 years.
JOSEPH CORBEIL — March 26, 1893.
CLARENCE L. CORD, May 28, 1899.
JAMES COTTER, Aug. 12, 1871.
HENRY COURTNEY, September, 1886.
H. CRAIG, June 9, 1873.
ARTHUR J. CRAWSHAW, December,
1889.
J. C. CRESS, June, 1887.
CHARLES L. CROCKER, June 24, 1900.
JOHN CRONIN, April, 1886. Reported
dead.
J. F. CROWLEY, April 12, 1871.
P. CROWLEY, December, 1883.
JOHN E. CULLEN, Aug. 12, 1871.
JOHN CURLEY, June, 1887.
Names Found in the Providence Direc-
tory:
JESSE CALDER — 1850-54; 1856-57 and
1863 clerk in Post Office.
JOHN CARTER — 1855, at 24 Westmin-
ster street; by card Sept. 10, 1870.
GEORGE CARY — 1857.
CHARLES N. CASWELL — 1844 over
15 Market square. 1850 at Journal Office.
DANIEL R. CASWELL — 1841 at 25
Market square.
CHARLES F. CHARNLEY — Learned
printing trade in Journal office ; now in
jewelry business in this city.
EDWARD B. CHEEVER — 1850 on
Daily Post and Journal; 1855 on Journal.
GEORGE P. CHOAT — 1847 at B. T.
Albro's, 5 Canal street. •
EDWARD CODDINGTON— 1824 at 3
South Main street.
HENRY R. COOKE — 1855 at 24 West-
minster street.
EDWARD CORY — 1830-32 at 9 Market
square (E. and J. W. Cory).
JOHN W. CORY — 1832-36 at 9 Market
square; 1838 bookseller and publisher;
1847 at Journal Office.
WILLIAM H. CORY — 1856; 1857 at
Journal office.
JOHN COTTON — 1838.
WILLIAM CRANSTON — 1857.
CHARLES F. CURTIS — 1826 at Ameri-
can office; 1828 at Journal office.
CALEB CUSHING— 1826 at 3 South
Main street. Caleb Gushing, publisher
of the Salem (Mass.) Gazette, sold the
paper in 1823.
JOSHUA CUSHING — 1828.
Printers Known to Have Worked Here:
FRANK C APRON (Long Frank) ; died
about 18(2.
WILLIAM CARROLL (Red) ; early
80's ; died in New York city.
D. CASHEN; withdrew card in 1877.
JOHN CONLON ; was in "News" strike.
J. F. COLLINS — 1853 ; worked on Jour-
nal.
WILLIAM C. CROSMAN— 1902.
THOMAS J. CREIGHTON; early 80's ;
now in Hartford, Conn.
CHARLES M. CLARK was foreman of
the Providence Evening Telegram for a
number of years, while it was out of the
Union. Afterward he was foreman of the
New York Sun.
THOMAS WAYNE DALLING — Born
West Chester, Pa., Sept. 20, 1870 ; learned
printing in that city, beginning in 1887;
came to Providence Journal shortly after
the introduction of the linotype machines ;
initiated into No. 33 Dec. 28, 1890; now
employed on Philadelphia Record.
CHARLES A. DALTON — Born Salem,
Mass. ; learned printing at the University
Press, Cambridge, Mass. ; has worked in
Providence since 1901 ; admitted by card
to Providence Union May 31, 1903 ; now
superintendent Franklin Press.
FRANCIS LIPPITT DANFORTH — Died
Providence April 30, 1867, aged 55 years.
He was a son of Walter R. Danforth and
grandson of John Carter. The Directory
of 1856 gives his occupation as printer.
GEORGE DANFORTH — Died Taunton,
Mass., Feb. 10, 1851 ; employed on the
Providence Journal in 1836, and from 1841
to 1850; on Morning Courier in 1838.
GEORGE WHITMAN DANIELSON —
Born Killingly, Conn., April 25, 1829;
died Providence March 25, 1884. In his
15th year he began to learn printing in
the office of E. B. Carter at Danielson-
ville, Conn., but remained there only one
year. He then came to Providence, work-
ing here as a journeyman printer, and
also tried New York city for a while,
after which he returned to Providence
and for a short time published the Daily
Sentinel. He was also for a time editor
of the Daily Transcript. July 26, 1848. he
became editor and publisher of the New
England Arena at West Killingly, Conn.,
but was back in Providence in a little
more than a year. In May, 1851, he was
marine reporter for the Daily Post, and
while connected with that paper also
occupied the positions of foreman of the
composing room and assistant editor.
March 14. 1859, in partnership with Albert
R. Cooke, he established the Evening
Press. In October, 1862, on retiring from
the firm, the employes presented to him a
silver goblet and a four-volume set of
"Carlyle's Critical and Miscellaneous
Essays." Jan. 1, 1863, he became busi-
ness manager and managing editor of the
THE JOURNEYMEN
XXVII
Journal, and on Jan. 26 started the Eve-
ning Bulletin. His hours of work were
those of the morning newspaper composi-
tors of that period — 14 or 15 hours be-
tween 10 A. M. of one day and 4 A. M.
of the next. He was a tireless worker
and the natural growth of the newspapers
in his charge weighed upon him, perhaps
imperceptibly, until he succumbed. For
a number of years he was President of
the New England Associated Press, and
he was also interested in many business
concerns in Providence. In 1854 he was
President of the Providence Printers'
Union, the first organization known to the
craft in this city. It met at 24 Westmin-
ster street Saturday evenings, according
to the Directory of that year.
HERBERT A. DARLING — Died Bos-
ton Feb. 12, 1896 ; he was initiated into
Providence Union May 9, 1868, and worked
in this city on the Press until 1872 ;
worked in Boston 1872-1880; in Provi-
dence 1880-1887; in Boston 1887-1896; he
was foreman of the Providence Star in
1887.
HENRY FIELD DAVIS — Born Provi-
dence March 21, 1869 ; died here Feb. 4,
1906 ; learned printing in the office of the
Evening Bulletin, beginning in 1886, and
continued to work there during the rest
of his life ; he was initiated into Provi-
dence Union Feb. 26, 1889; was one of
the first in this city to learn to operate
the linotype. Burial was at Swan Point.
Henry R. Davis, for more than 50 years
connected with the Journal, was his
father.
WALTER B. DAVIS — Born Providence
May 6, 1884 ; learned printing in office of
Journal, beginning December, 1901 ; joined
No. 33 Dec. 31, 1905 ; now employed on
Tribune.
ARTHUR DAWSON — Born Todmorden,
Lancashire, England, April 13, 1868;
began to learn printing there in 1878;
admitted to Providence Union at the
August meeting, 1888 ; has travelled ex-
tensively in the United States.
JAMES R. DAY — Born Washington,
D. C., Aug. 10, 1860; started to learn
printing in the office of Nickerson &
Sibley, Pawtucket, in 1872, and finished
his apprenticeship in the Evening Press
job office, Providence, where he worked
13 years ; he then went into business for
himself and has been very successful ; he
joined Providence Union December, 1886.
MARTIN C. DAY — Born Providence
May 7, 1853; learned printing in Dover,
N. H., beginning in 1870 ; reporter on the
Providence Journal from 1876 to 1882;
city editor from 1882 to 1894 ; author of
the book, "Death in the Mail," a report of
the Barnaby-Graves poisoning case ; for
a time was city editor of the News. Mr.
Day was initiated into Providence Typo-
graphical Union Aug. 27, 1905 ; now
located in New York city.
ITHIEL DEARDEN— Born England
Sept. 24, 1870; learned printing in Provi-
dence at Reid's, and later was employed
on the Evening Telegram ; was initiated
into Providence Union May 31, 189C ; now
employed on the Brockton Times.
VINCENT DE FINA — Born Italy Dec.
2, 1864 ; learned printing in Italy, com-
ing to Providence in 1895; initiated into
Providence Union Aug. 29, 1897 ; partici-
pated in the effort for the eight-hour day
in 1906 ; now employed on Evening
Bulletin.
WALTER DE HOFF — Reported died in
Jersey City, N. J. ; admitted by card to
Providence Union Feb. 23, 1900; was a
linotype operator, employed on the
Journal.
RUDOLPH DE LEEUW — Born Hart-
ford, Conn., May 17, 1858; learned the
printing trade in that city in the office of
the Evening Post, beginning in 1876 ; has
worked in Providence on the Journal since
1880, most of the time in the proofroom.
Mr. De Leeuw was secretary of Hartford
Union in 1881, vice president of Provi-
dence Union 1901-02, treasurer 1903-04-
05-06 and 1907, delegate to I. T. U. con-
ventions at Atlanta, Ga. (1890), and
Detroit, Mich. (1899), delegate to R. I.
Central Trades and Labor Union 1902.
ALFRED A. DEVENISH — Born Provi-
dence 1858 ; learned printing in office of
J. A. & R. A. Reid, beginning in 1876,
and has worked in this city all the time
since with exception of three years in
Boston ; initiated into Providence Union
April 15, 1883 ; now foreman for J. C.
Hall Co.
JOSEPH E. DEVENISH — Born Provi-
dence Feb. 28, 1881 ; began apprentice-
shin at Lufkin Press, Boston, in 1899,
and finished at J. C. Hall's, in Providence ;
initiated into Providence Union Aug. 30,
1903 ; now employed on Evening Bulletin.
W. H. DEVINE — Born Waterford, Ire-
land, May 14, 1880; learned printing with
Harrigan & King, Worcester, Mass. ; ad-
mitted to Providence Union at the Decem-
ber meeting, 1905, by card; was employed
at Remington's, operating a monotype ;
came out on strike for eight-hour day
Jan. 1, 1906 ; left the city Jan. 3, 1906.
JOHN J. DEVLIN — Born Providence
Sept. 12, 1860 ; learned printing at office
of Angell & Co., beginning in 1874 ; initi-
ated into No. 33 May 17, 1888 ; worked in
most of the printing offices in this city,
both as printer and reporter ; was the first
police messenger appointed in Providence,
and served as such under Chiefs of Police
Charles H. Hunt and Benjamin H. Child ;
since leaving Providence in 1895 has
worked in various New England cities,
and is now (1904) in the stationery busi-
ness in Winsted, Conn., but retains his
connection with newspaper work as corre-
spondent for State papers.
XXVIII
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
GREGORY DEXTER — Born Olney,
England, about 1610; died Providence,
R. I., 1700 ; learned printing at London,
England, where he set up in business.
He also ministered to a Baptist society in
that city. He came to Providence about
1638 and was the first practical printer to
live here, but did not work at his trade
in this colony. It is said that Mr. Dexter
once visited Cambridge, Mass., to help the
printer in that town put his office in order.
For many years he was one of the colony
assistants under the charter of Charles
II. ; also served as town clerk and held
other public offices. He was the fourth
minister of the First Baptist Church in
Providence. His residence was built of
logs and stood on the east side of what is
now Benefit street, near its junction with
North Main street. During King Phillip's
war Mr. Dexter, with his wife, went to
Long Island and remained there until ap-
parent danger had passed. He returned to
find his home desolate and two of his sons
numbered with the dead. He rebuilt his
house on the site opposite the city water-
ing place at the summit of Constitution
Hill. He was the progenitor of the Dexter
family, one of whom (Ebenezer Knight
Dexter) gave to the city the Dexter Asy-
lum and Dexter Training Ground.
MYRON W. DIBBLE — Born Cornwall,
Conn., in 1849; learned printing in Litch-
field, Conn., beginning in 1861 ; admitted
to Providence Union by card May 11,
1872, and again at the April meeting.
1888; worked on the Journal and other
newspapers in this city.
MASON DICKEY— Died at Alexandria,
Va., May 3, 1803. Mr. Mason Dickey,
printer, late of this town. — Providence
Gazette, May 21, 1803.
JOHN JAMES DIGGINS — Born Provi-
dence Oct. 15, 1879 ; learned printing with
J. J. Ryder Co., beginning in November,
1895 ; initiated into Providence Union
Sept. 28, 1903 ; participated in the effort
for the eight-hour day in 1906 ; now em-
ployed on Tribune.
JOHN J. DILLON — Born Providence
Nov. 16, 1858 ; learned printing in office
of E. A. Johnson & Co., beginning in
February, 1879 ; initiated into Providence
Union Aug. 26, 1888; always worked in
this city in the various job offices.
EUGENE T. DION — Born Central
Falls, R. I. ; learned the printing trade
in the office of the Chronicle Printing
Co., Pawtucket ; now employed on Tribune.
HENRY R. DIX — Born Pictou, Pictou
county, Nova Scotia, in 1854 ; learned
printing in Providence and is at present
employed at Rumford Chemical Works.
CALEB S. P. DODGE — Born Lempster,
N. H., May 29, 1838; died Cambridge,
Mass., 1906 ; learned printing in the office
of the Watertown Sentinel ; worked at the
business in many of the large cities of
the country and in the early 80's on the
Journal in this city. Since 1883 he was
employed on the Boston Globe. He was
President of Boston Union in 1892, and
was connected with the Masons, Odd Fel-
lows, Cadets of Temperance and the
Franklin Typographical Society of Boston.
BERNARD DOHERTY — Died Provi-
dence July 24, 1884, aged 45 years; initi-
ated into No. 33 March 12, 1864 ; for
many years he was employed in the Press
job office as book pressman ; brother of
Henry F. Doherty.
HENRY F. DOHERTY— Died Provi-
dence July 31, 1907, aged 57 years ;
learned printing in book room of the
Providence Press Co. ; was foreman of
that department for a number of years
until 1882, when he accepted a position
with the Davol Rubber Co. as salesman,
remaining with that firm until his death ;
initiated into Providence Union Nov. 13,
1869. He is buried in Pocasset Ceme-
tery.
PATRICK J. DOHERTY — Born St.
John, N. B.. 1840; worked in Boston be-
fore the Civil War and until 1867 on the
Herald, Bee, Journal and Advertiser ;
come to Providence in 1867 and was fore-
man of Journal until 1871 ; name is on
records of Providence Union ; died in this
city May 4, 1889.
HUGH F. DOLAN — Born Providence
April 8, 1864 ; learned printing on Evening
Telegram, beginning in 1883 ; worked on
the Journal and in Boston, Worcester, Fall
River and other New England cities ; initi-
ated into Providence Union Jan. 31, 1886.
JOHN P. DOLAN — Born Danbury,
Conn., Feb. 20, 1854 ; learned printing in
Woonsocket, R. I., on the Reporter, begin-
ning in 1872 ; came to Providence in 1879,
and worked on the Telegram, Sunday Dis-
patch and Morning Star until 1882, when
»he went to the Journal, remaining on
that paper until 1889 ; he was initiated
into Providence Union April 8, 1883, the
meeting at which the Union was reorgan-
ized ; served on the executive committee
for several years ; recording secretary
1886-87, and President 1888. Since leaving
this city Mr. Dolan has worked in Boston,
on the Globe until the American started,
when he went to that paper and is at
present employed there.
PATRICK DOLAN — Lost his life in the
Mississippi river in April, 1865. He was
an apprentice on the Providence Journal
in 1860; enlisted as a private in Co. G,
llth R. I. Vol., in September, 1862 ; after
expiration of his term of service he re-
enlisted in the 3d R. I. Cavalry, Troop
H ; was discharged for disability on ac-
count of wounds received, and was return-
ing home on the Sultana when the acci-
dent occurred. The telegraphic dispatch
printed at the time said : "Steamer Sul-
tana, from New Orleans April 21, arrived
at Vicksburg with boilers leaking badly.
THE JOURNEYMEN
XXIX
She remained 30 hours repairing and
taking on 1996 Federal prisoners and 35
officers, lately released from Cahawba and
Andersonville prisons. She arrived at
Memphis April 27, and after coaling pro-
ceeded. About 2 P. M., when seven miles
out, she blew up and immediately took
fire and burned to the water's edge. Of
2106 souls on board, not more than 700
can be rescued ; 500 are in hospital and
two or three hundred uninjured ones are
at the Soldiers' Home."
JOHN H. DONAHUE — Boi'n 1860;
began to learn printing in 1882 ; initiated
into Providence Union Jan. 25, 1893.
MICHAEL AMOS DONAHUE — Born
Clyman, Dodge county, Wis., Jan. 1, 1868;
learned printing in the office of the Provi-
dence Evening Telegram, beginning in
1885 ; after the strike on that paper he
went to Worcester, Mass., remaining there
two years, and then worked in Boston
and New York. Went West in 1901, visit-
ing Buffalo, Chicago, St. Louis, Denver,
Leadville, reaching San Francisco in 1903,
where he is now located on the Examiner ;
initiated into Providence Union March 31,
1889.
THOMAS H. DONAHUE — Born Pas-
coag, R. I., Feb. 24, 1863; learned stereo-
typing on the Providence Journal, begin-
ning in 1886, and continued there until
1890; Woonsocket Reporter 1890-91;
Providence Telegram 1891-96 ; Brockton
Times 1896-97 ; Providence Journal 1898
to present time, and is foreman of the
room ; initiated into Providence Union Feb.
26, 1889.
JAMES H. DONOVAN — Born Provi-
dence April 20, 1883 ; began his appren-
ticeship in the office of the Evening Press
in 1883, and finished on the Star; admit-
ted to the Union Aug. 30, 1885, as an
apprentice member, probably the first ap-
prentice admitted in that way ; has worked
in New York, Boston and Cambridge.
J. J. DONOVAN — Admitted to Provi-
dence Union by card Sept. 14, 1872 ;
worked for a time on the Journal.
PATRICK J. DONOVAN — Admitted by
card to Providence Union Nov. 9, 1873 ;
worked on Star and Press ; served in the
U. S. Regulars and in a Massachusetts
regiment during the Civil War ; belonged
in Boston, Mass., where he probably died.
WILLIAM DONOVAN — Born Provi-
dence, R. I., in 1858 ; learned printing with
J. A. & R. A. Reid, beginning in 1879
initiated into Providence Union April 15
1883; treasurer 1883; President 1901-02
delegate 1902. With the exception of six
months in New York city, has worked
continuously in this city ; at present in
ad department, Evening Bulletin.
EUGENE AUGUSTUS DORAN — Born
Pawtucket Oct. 29, 1881 ; learned printing
on the Pawtucket Times, beginning in
1900; worked in Providence on the News.
WILLIAM H. DORAN — Born Fall River,
Mass., Oct. 3, 1860; learned printing in
office of Fiske & Munroe in that city,
beginning March 8, 1875 ; admitted to
Providence Union by card Dec. 30, 1900 ;
worked at Livermore & Knight's and at
present in ad department of Bulletin ;
was foreman of Block Island Wireless in
summer of 1903.
JOHN P. DORL — Born New York city
Jan. 28, 1897 ; started to learn the print-
ing trade in Haverstraw, N. Y., in 1885 ;
admitted to Providence Union in July,
1888, and has worked in this city at dif-
ferent times since ; has been President,
vice president and secretary-treasurer of
Pawtucket Union, and held the latter office
during the first strike ever ordered by
that Union; delegate to N. E. A. P. T.
in 1907 and elected vice president of
that body ; now employed on Tribune.
JOSEPH DOVE — Born Providence Feb.
26, 1869 ; began to learn printing on the
Pawtuxet Valley Gleaner in 1883, and
finished apprenticeship at What Cheer
Print in Providence; initiated into No. 33
as apprentice member July 25, 1886 ;
learned to operate a linotype on the Provi-
dence Journal and worked in that office
until 1894 ; from 1894 to 1906 employed
on Boston Herald ; now linotype operator
on Journal of this city.
WILLIAM W. DOW— Born Hampden,
Me., Jan. 2, 1853 ; learned printing in
office of Piscataquis Observer at Dover,
Me., beginning in 1875; came to Provi-
dence in 1878 and worked in the Evening
Press job office ; at present employed in
the water department of the city.
ALBERT E. DOYLE — Born Providence
Aug. 3, 1873 ; learned printing with E. A.
Johnson & Co., beginning December, 1889 ;
also worked with J. A. & R. A. Reid ; at
present located in Washington, D. C.
GEORGE F. DRAPE — Born Pawtucket,
R. I., May 10, 1870 ; learned printing at
.E. L. Freeman's, Central Falls, and at
John W. Little's, Pawtucket, beginning
Jan. 15, 1886 ; initiated into Providence
Union Jan. 27, 1889, and worked here at
Snow & Farnham's, Casey Bros.', Frank-
lin Press, E. A. Johnson's and on the
News; in 1904 erriployed on the Brockton
Times.
CHARLES W. DRINKWATER — Born
Eastington, Gloucestershire, Eng., Feb. 28,
1855 ; learned printing at Strond, Glouces-
tershire ; came to Providence in 1883 ;
was initiated into Providence Union April
22, 1883 ; worked for many years at Reid's
and at Livermore & Knight's ; partici-
pated in the effort for the eight-hour day
in 1906 ; now employed on Tribune.
SAMUEL A. DRISCOLL — Died War-
ren, R. I., Oct. 30, 1886, aged 76 years;
learned the trade of a printer and for a
time worked on the Journal in this city.
He made a whaling voyage and on his
return, when nearing home, while engaged
XXX
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
in firing a salute, by a premature dis-
charge of the cannon he lost both hands.
During the remainder of his li'e he wore
artificial hands. Notwithstanding his in-
firmity, he was very successful in busi-
ness. A cataract deprived him of sight
a few years before his death.
HUGH DRUMM — Died Providence Nov.
7, 1901; learned stereotyping on the Morn-
ing Star ; initiated into Providence Union
Feb. 26, 1889.
J. H. DUFFY — Came to Providence
from England in 1886 and worked on the
Star until March, 1887, when he returned
to England. Later he went into the hotel
business in Manchester, Eng.
ANDREW J. DUGGAN — Born Niagara
Falls, Ont., March 24, 1865 ; learned the
printing trade on the News at St. Cath-
arines, Ont., beginning in 1881, and is at
present located in Worcester, Mass. He
says : "Arrived in Providence with P. J.
Coogan on the day Rhode Island voted
for prohibition, and it was raining like
. Worked on Star, Item, Telegram
and Evening Call. Left after the Tele-
gram strike in 1889." His card was re-
ceived April, 1886.
WILLIAM W. DUNHAM — In partner-
ship with T. A. Foster he founded the
Providence Phenix, May 11, 1802 ; was
editor of the Phenix the second year,
after which it was purchased by William
Olney ; May 24, 1806, Mr. Dunham issued
proposals for printing a weekly paper in
New Bedford, The Gazette; in 1816 he
resided in Zanesville, Ohio.
ALBERT B. DUN WELL — Born Derby,
Conn., Oct. 8, 1862 ; learned printing at
Ansonia, Conn., beginning in 1876 ; admit-
ted to Providence Union by card Decem-
ber, 1905 ; was a participant in the eight-
hour strike of 1906.
JAMES P. DUNWELL — Name in
Directory as printer in 1836; in 1874 as
music teacher and 1856 as organist. He
read proof in job office of Knowles,
Anthony & Co. for many years ; died in
1891, aged 79 years.
W. N. DURAND — Admitted to Provi-
dence Union by card Nov. 11, 1871 ; was
well known in the central part of Connec-
ticut ; now supposed to be dead.
SARAH G. DUFFRY — Born Newport
Oct. 7, 1870 ; learned printing in office of
Newport Daily News ; worked in Woon-
socket and on the Providence News ; is
employed in the latter office at present as
a linotype operator ; initiated into Provi-
dence Union July 25, 1897.
JAMES F. DUVALLY — Born Fall
River, Mass., Oct. 5, 1873 ; learned print-
ing in that city ; worked in Providence
two years in 1900-1901 at Snow & Farn-
ham's and on the Telegram ; initiated into
Providence Union Feb. 24. 1901 ; now
employed on the Boston Herald.
JOHN J. DUVALLY — Born Fall River,
Mass., Jan. 14, 1870 ; learned printing on
the News in that city, beginning in 1887 ;
admitted to Providence Union by card
June 26, 1892 ; foreman Newport Herald
in 1892 ; participated in the struggle for
eight hours in 1906 ; now located in New
York city.
DANIEL J. DWYER — Born Providence
in 1866 ; began to learn printing in Jour-
nal composing room in 1882 ; initiated
into No. 33 October, 1886 ; for a number
of years had charge of mailing room of
Journal ; now superintendent circulation
department of Tribune.
JOHN H. DWYER — Learned printing
on Evening Bulletin ; initiated into Provi-
dence Union Jan. 29, 1893 ; worked as
linotype operator on Bulletin until March,
1906 ; now on Evening Tribune.
JOHN J. DWYER (a) — Died Provi-
dence July 13, 1892, aged 39 years; began
work in the Journal pressroom in 1882,
and in July, 1886, became foreman, suc-
ceeding John Holiday, who had been
pressman since December, 1848, when
S. S. Wilson retired; May 17, 1888, Mr.
Dwyer was initiated into Providence
Typographical Union, but at the time of
death was a member of Boston Press-
men's Union ; in the State militia he rose
to be captain of Co. B, 5th Bat. Inf.
JOHN J. DWYER (b)— Born Provi-
dence in 1872 ; learned printing on Jour-
nal, beginning in 1893 ; became a member
of No. 33 June 27, 1897 ; now linotype
operator on Journal.
OLIVER DYER — Died Windham, Conn.,
Friday. March 10, 1809, in the 28th year
of his age ; he had been a printer, resid-
ing in Providence, according to the Ameri-
can of March 14, 1809.
Initiated Into Providence Union on Dates
Named:
WILLIAM DAME, Oct. 10, 1868.
BENJ. DAVIS, Aug. 12, 1871.
JOHN DIO, March 31, 1901.
CHARLES EDWIN DOBSON, Feb. 26,
1893.
FREDERICK M. DOBSON, Feb. 26,
1893.
S. K. DOLPHIN, Dec. 18, 1892.
J. H. DONNELLY, Aug. 29, 1886.
MICHAEL DONNELLY, April 11,1863.
Probably served in Cos. B and F, 2d R. I.,
during Civil War.
JOSEPH F. DOYLE, April 8, 1883.
JAMES DUFFY, March 28, 1897.
JAMES J. DUFFY, May 17, 1888.
HERBERT M. DUNHAM, Dec. 11,
1869.
WILLIAM A. DYER, April 5, 1888.
Admitted by Card on Dates Named:
W. H. DAVIDSON, Oct. 30, 1892.
B. F. DAVIS, Feb. 26, 1893.
D. W. DEAN, October, 1886.
J. M. DEAN, March 27, 1884.
THE JOURNEYMEN
XXXI
B. DETWILER, June, 1887.
W. J. DICKSON, August, 1886; July,
1888.
JAMES DIXON, April, 1888.
JAMES A. DOHERTY, Montreal card,
Nov. 9, 1872.
JOHN F. DONNELLY, April, 1884.
W. F. DOUGLAS, Dec. 14, 1872.
EDWARD J. DOUTNEY, Nov. 11, 1871.
JOHN D. DOYLE, Aug. 13, 1870;
August, 1888.
T. T. J. DOYLE, Boston card, July 8,
1871.
WILLIAM S. DRAKE, November, 1887.
THOMAS DUBE, May 30, 1897.
E. J. DUFFIN, May 28, 1884.
WALTER DUNKERLY, Dec. 18, 1892.
M. C. DUNN, September, 1886.
JOHN DUNPHY, March 27, 1884.
MERTON A. DUMPHY, Aug. 28, 1898.
Printers Known to Have Worked Here:
JOHN P. DAVIS — Charter member
1857.
JOSEPH DeBARTHE — Member in
1877.
D. DOLAND — Worked on Journal in
1851.
WILLIAM DUFF — Directory, 1844.
HARRY DUGAN — Worked at R. I.
Printing Co. in 80's.
LOUIS H. DeCRANEY, Hartford card,
May 11, 1872.
WILLIAM EAGAN — Born 1871 ; learned
printing in New Haven, Conn., beginning
in 1889; worked in New Hampshire; ap-
plied for admission to Providence Union
in December, 1899; worked on the News.
CHARLES E. EARL — Admitted to
Providence Union by card Feb. 10, 1872 ;
worked on the Journal until 1875 ; then
removed to Norwich, Conn. ; I. T. U. dele-
gate from Norwich in 1879.
FRANKLIN PIERCE EDDY — Died
Providence, March 11, 1901, and was
buried in Pocasset Cemetery ; learned
printing at A. Crawford Greene's; initi-
ated into Providence Union July 13, 1872 ;
delegate to I. T. U. in 1891 ; also financial
secretary for several years ; worked mostly
on the Journal, the last years of his life
as proofreader.
JOSEPH EHRLICH — Born Lodz, Rus-
sian Poland, in 1884 ; learned printing
there, beginning in 1895; participated in
effort for eight-hour day in 1906 ; now
located in Providence.
JOHN E. ELLIOTT — In 1844 worked in
Providence at 41 Market square and in
1850 kept an intelligence office at 12
Exchange street. The Journal of Sept. 23,
1863, contained the following: "John E.
Elliott, who was formerly employed in
this city as a printer and whose wife now
resides in Pawtucket. is said to have been
captured at Port Hudson as colonel of an
Alabama regiment."
EDWIN H. ELLIS— Applied for admis-
sion to Norwood (Mass.) Union in Janu-
ary, 1902 ; born in 1876 ; learned printing
at Ryder & Dearth's and J. A. & R. A.
Reid's, Providence, and had worked in
Pawtucket ; in 1904 he was employed on
the Cincinnati Commercial Tribune.
JAMES H. ELSBREE — Born Newport,
R. I., where he also learned printing ; he
was employed on the Providence Journal
in November, 1857, and from that time
until his death, which occurred in Boston,
worked on most of the newspapers in this
city, Boston and Norwich, Conn. ; he was
a member of No. 33 before 1865. When
a youth Mr. Elsbree made a voyage in a
merchant ship around the world, sailing
from Newport. Served in 3d R. I. Heavy
Artillery during the Civil War. Brother
of William F. Elsbree.
WILLIAM F. ELSBREE — Born New-
port, R. I., May 14, 1844 ; learned print-
ing at E. L. Freeman's office in Central
Falls, beginning in 1863 ; was foreman of
the Norwich Advertiser for a short time ;
worked in Providence on the Herald, Press,
Star and Journal, and was best known as
"the Distributor;" initiated into No. 33
April 13, 1867 ; worked in Boston on the
Herald and Globe ; at present employed
on the Globe. Mr. Elsbree is an accom-
plished vocalist and was for about 15
years on the musical stage — two seasons
with Barlow, Primrose & West's Min-
strels, nine weeks with Boston Museum
Operatic Co. and six weeks with the
Bijou. He is a brother of James H.
Elsbree.
EDWARD A. EMERY — Born South
Yarmouth, Mass., Sept. 18, 1872 ; learned
printing trade in office of Eastern Adv.
Co. of Pawtucket, beginning in 1888; be-
came member of Providence Union Sept.
29, 1901 ; now ad man on the Evening
Bulletin.
VIRGILIO ESCOBAR — Born Azores
Islands May 13, 1881 ; learned printing at
Azores, beginning 1895 ; worked in this
city since 1904 ; joined effort for the eight-
hour day August, 1906.
DAVID EVANS— Born Alloway, N. J.,
Aug. 28, 1853 ; learned trade on Salem
(N. J.) Standard; in 1890 had charge of
the advertisements on Providence Tele-
gram ; in the spring of 1892 took charge
of Wm. R. Brown's plant, 45 Eddy street,
remaining there four years, and with
the assistance of P. H. Quinn union-
ized the office ; started in job print-
ing business Sept. 16, 1895, and continued
a master printer for about three years ;
in that time had for partners P. W. Card,
M. G. Selbing and Franklin Hussey ; later
worked on the Journal and News in Provi-
dence ; was business manager of The
Financial Inquirer of New York city ; in
1904 superintendent of the New York
Labor News Co. ; now in business in
Brooklyn, N. Y. ; initiated into Providence
XXXII
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
Union Dec. 18, 1892 ; was vice president
and also recording secretary.
D. OTIS EVANS — Born Seymour, Conn.,
March 5, 1875 ; began to learn printing on
the Philadelphia Sunday Dispatch in 1888,
and finished on the Providence Telegram ;
initiated into Providence Union Jan. 29,
1893 ; worked on the News, Telegram and
Evening Bulletin in Providence and in
most of the large cities east of Chicago ;
vice president of No. 33 in 1905.
Initiated Into Providence Union on Dates
Named :
CHARLES K. ENGEL, Feb. 26, 1893.
WILLIAM ETCHELLS, April 29, 1888.
(Pressman.)
MABEL F. EVANS, May 29, 1892.
Admitted by Card on Dates Named:
THOMAS EAGIN, Boston, Nov. 13, 1869.
H. C. EARLE, July 30, 1884.
H. E. EARLE, Oct. 13, 1874.
E. W. EDWARDS, April, 1888.
G. G. ESKRIDGE, Dec. 9, 1871.
W. B. ESTEY, March 30, 1890.
GUS EVANS, Aug. 27, 1884.
G. W. EVANS, November, 1886.
Names Found in Directory:
SAMUEL B. EASTMAN — 1828 at 15
Market square (Eastman & Hall).
JAMES ELLIS — 1824-26 at 39 Market
square; 1828 at Canal Market.
ISAAC W. ENGLAND — 1850 at 24
Westminster street ; afterwards publisher
New York Sun.
Printers Known to Have Worked Here:
BENJAMIN F. EVANS — 1891 publisher
of R. I. Democrat ; also published weekly
papers in Olneyville and East Providence.
FRANK F. EVANS — 1882 to 1886, when
he removed from the city.
JAMES H. FAIRBROTHER — Died
Providence Dec. 11, 1888, in the 46th year
of his age ; he was initiated into Provi-
dence Union Dec. 10, 1870, and continued
his membership until 1878, when the char-
ter was surrendered ; also a member of
Prescott Post, G. A. R., and Assistant
Quartermaster General of Dept. R. I., G.
A. R. ; also member of Battery D, 1st
R. I. Light Artillery.
DANIEL W. FARNHAM— Died Provi-
dence Nov. 4, 1875, aged 29 years, of
typhoid fever ; he was initiated into Provi-
dence Union Jan. 12, 1867 ; at time of
death was employed in the Journal office.
Unity Lodge of Odd Fellows conducted
the funeral. He was buried in Riverside
Cemetery. Mr. Farnham was a native of
Nantucket, Mass., and brother of J. E. C.
Farnham.
JOSEPH E. C. FARNHAM — Born Nan-
tucket ; learned printing with A. Crawford
Greene ; initiated into Providence Union
Feb. 12, 1870; worked in the book office
of the Providence Press Co. for many
years ; with E. M. Snow he founded the
firm of Snow & Farnham and purchased
the book and job business formerly owned
by the Providence Press Co.
HENRY W. FARRELL — Initiated into
Providence Union Oct. 31, 1886 ; worked
at E. A. Johnson's and in Wakefield ; now
practicing medicine in this city.
THOMAS F. FARRELL — Born Provi-
dence May 10, 1880 ; learned printing on
the Telegram, News and Pawtucket
Times, finishing his apprenticeship in
1900 ; initiated into Providence Union
July 28, 1901 ; has worked in Taunton,
Boston and Brockton ; now make-up on
the Evening Bulletin.
RICHARD J. FAULKNER — Born
Guernsey, Channel Islands, England, in
1852 ; served a six years' apprenticeship
in the office of the Guernsey Comet, be-
ginning Jan. 5, 1865 ; arrived in New
York city Sept. 14, 1872, and joined New
York Union in October of the same year ;
came to Providence in November, 1880,
and worked in this city 2% years on the
Star and six years on the Telegram. Mr.
Faulkner was active in the reorganization
of Providence Union in 1883, depositing
his card at the first meeting, and was
elected President unanimously at the
meeting for permanent organization, April
15, because of the work he had done to
perfect the reorganization ; was secretary
in 1884, '87 and '88; delegate in 1886,
and served on various important commit-
tees. Since leaving this city he has
worked in Boston, Brockton and New
York ; now located in New York.
FRANK G. FERRY — Born Chicopee,
Mass., April 12, 1873; learned printing in
office of George V. Wheelock, Chicopee,
beginning in 1870; came to Providence in
April, 1874, and worked in various book
and job offices until 1882 ; since 1882 Mr.
Ferry has been with the Narragansett
Times, at Wakefield, R. I., and during the
summer season with the Daily Times at
Narragansett Pier.
A. E. FESSENDEN — Born Boston.
Mass., Nov. 9, 1862 ; learned printing in
Woburn, Mass., beginning in 1879 ; worked
in Providence two weeks in 1888, depos-
iting card at the July meeting; in 1904
was employed on the New York World.
ALFRED G. FIELD — Born at Port
Elizabeth, South Africa, March 6, 1868;
learned printing on the Port Elizabeth
Telegraph, 1880-1885, after which worked
in Melbourne, Australia, six months, and
then sailed for the United States, arriv-
ing here in 1887 ; deposited travelling
card with Providence Union April 23.
1892; worked on the News and at W. R.
Brown's in Providence and as Instructor
of Printing on the Howard Times at the
Sockanosset School for Boys ; now em-
ployed on the Evening Bulletin.
THE JOURNEYMEN
XXXIII
BARNUM FIELD — Born Taunton,
Mass., June 11, 1796 ; died in Boston,
Mass.. May 7, 1851 ; graduate Brown
University 1821; Aug. 28, 1823, to Sept.
1, 1825, publisher Independent Inquirer
in Providence ; on latter date sold the
Inquirer to Journal ; grammar school prin-
cipal in Boston, Mass. ; author School
Geography.
CHARLES H. FINLEY — Born Provi-
dence, R. I., June 17, 1875 ; learned print-
ing on Boston Traveler, beginning in 1887 ;
admitted to Boston Union Nov. 27, 1892;
now employed on Boston Globe ; carried
route on Providence Journal in 1885-86 ;
grandson of Hon. Sidney Dean, former
editor Providence Evening Press and
Morning Star.
THOMAS F. FINNEY — Born Consho-
hocken, Pa., Dec. 5, 1869 ; learned print-
ing in Recorder office in that town ;
worked throughout the East ; came to
Providence in 1904.
ERNEST BERTRAND FIRTH — Born
Kettering, England, March 24, 1874 ;
learned printing with W. E. & J. Goss in
that town, beginning in 1888 ; worked in
Providence on the Journal in 1899 ;
Toronto Union was given permission (Oct.
28, 1900,) by No. 33 to initiate Bertrand ;
in 1906 in New York on Times.
E. W. FISHER — Born 1870 ; learned
printing at Danville, N. J., beginning in
1896 ; worked at Biddeford, Me., and
Ophir, Col. ; initiated into Providence
Union July 28, 1901 ; in 1904 was located
in Boston.
WALTER B. FISKE — Died Pawtucket
May 4, 1874, in the 41st year of his age;
was initiated into Providence Union in
1861, and his name appears in the circu-
lar of 1866.
JOHN H. .FITZ — Born Providence Oct.
26, 1864, in a building located on the
present site of the Journal building;
learned printing in office of Evening
Press, beginning in 1880; located in New
York city on the Herald since 1883.
JAMES O. FITZGERALD — Born Provi-
dence Dec. 3, 1874; learned printing at
Journal office, beginning in 1892; initi-
ated into Providence Union May 29, 1904 ;
now located in Manchester, N. H.
MICHAEL FITZGERALD — Born Ire-
land ; learned stereotyping on the Provi-
dence Journal ; initiated into Providence
Union Dec. 25, 1887 ; now employed on
Boston Globe.
PETER J. FITZGERALD— Born Provi-
dence July 3, 1855 ; began in 1866, in the
Journal job office, to learn the printing-
trade, and worked in Providence until
1882, when he became a merchant; he
has been Grand Secretary of the For-
esters of America in Rhode Island for a
number of years.
FRANK FRICHE — Born Terre Haute,
Ind., May, 1873 ; learned printing in ad
room of Terre Haute Tribune ; admitted
to Providence Union by card May, 1886,
and worked in this city that summer.
"Celebrated the night of 31st of June,
last day of license ; put in a dry Fourth
with 'Gedge' Hughes and Ownie Hamill
at Roger Williams Park." Now on Terre
Haute Express.
ALEXANDER FRICKER — Born War-
ren, Mass., in 1876 ; learned printing in
office of Olneyville Times, beginning in
1894 ; was initiated into Providence Union
Nov. 25, 1900.
JAMES S. FRIEND (Bristol Bill) —
Born Glasgow, Scotland, Feb. 16, 1871;
learned printing in Phoenix office, Bris-
tol, R. I., beginning in 1887 ; admitted to
Providence Union by card May 29, 1892 ;
participated in the effort for the eight-
hour day in 1906.
GEORGE F. FULLER — Directory, 1847,
at 29 Market square ; went to New York
city and became interested in the Mirror
of that city.
JOHN FITZPATRICK — Born Fall
River, Mass., April 9, 1875 ; began to
learn printing on the News of that city in
1880 ; worked in various cities of New
England ; admitted to Providence Union
by card April 27, 1902.
CHARLES H. .FLAGLER — Born St.
John, N. B., Sept. 25, 1873 ; initiated into
Providence Union April 5, 1888. Supt.
Charles Deacon of the Union Printers'
Home, Colorado Springs, Col., in a letter
dated Aug. 30, 1904, furnishes the fol-
lowing: "Mr. Flagler was admitted from
Denver Typographical Union, No. 49,
March 20, 1897, suffering with pulmonary
tuberculosis. He continued to fail, and
Dec. 30, 1899, at the request of his father,
we started him home, accompanied by a
trained nurse. When about 100 miles
east of Chicago it became necessary to
call a physician aboard the train, who
was unable to save the sufferer, and he
never reached Boston alive. The remains
were taken off the train by the nurse,
properly prepared for burial, and taken to
Boston, where interment was made."
EDWARD L. 'FLANAGAN — Died New
York city ; admitted to Providence Union
by card Feb. 27, 1884 ; worked for sev-
eral years on the Providence Journal.
GEORGE WILLIAM FLYNN — Born
Providence Aug. 4, 1855 ; learned print-
ing in George H. Whitney's job office, be-
ginning in 1869 ; afterward worked for
Reynolds & Mackinnon and on the Eve-
ning Telegram ; in New York city from
1886 to 1889 ; in Pawtucket for two years
on the Evening Times, and has been fore-
man of the Providence Visitor ; now em-
ployed in proofroom of Providence Jour-
nal ; obligated at the first meeting of the
reorganized Union, April 8, 1883, and his
name is on the charter.
XXXIV
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
GEORGE M. FORBES — Killed by a
trolley car in Crawford, N. J., Oct. 19,
1906, aged about 60 years; had been em-
ployed by the Standard Printing Co. of
this city.
ALEXANDER W. FORSYTH — Born
Providence, R. I., Feb. 4, 1850, and died
here June 20, 1887 ; initiated into Provi-
dence Union Dec. 11, 1869, and worked on
the Herald, Press, Star and Journal. He
was a member of the United Train of
Artillery.
WILLIAM FOSTER — Died Warwick,
R. I. ; initiated into Providence Union
June 20, 1857 ; secretary 1858, '59, '60 and
'61 ; reporter on Evening Press in the
70's ; candidate for Governor of the State
on Greenback ticket 1877-'78 ; for several
years had charge of the city wood yard
in Providence.
ROBERT FOULKES — Born Manches-
ter, England, Sept. 7, 1873 ; learned print-
ing with Dean & Co., Stockport, England,
beginning 1889 ; came to Providence Au-
gust, 1893 ; worked on Telegram, News-
Democrat and Evening Tribune ; initiated
into Providence Union Sept. 29, 1901.
EDWARD LIVINGSTON FREEMAN —
Born Waterville, Me., Sept. 10, 1835; died
Central Falls, Feb. 25, 1907 ; began to
learn printing in the office of A. W.
Pearce, Pawtucket, R. I., in June, 1850;
worked in Providence from 1854 to 1863,-
in the office of Hammond, Angell & Co.,
and was part owner for a time. In 1863
he removed to Central Falls and estab-
lished the printing office of E. L. Freeman
& Sons. The firm has done a very large
business and since 1877 all of the official
printing- of the State. Mr. Freeman was
a member of the Legislature for nearly
25 years and was Railroad Commissioner
from 1888 until his death. He published
the Central Falls Weekly Visitor for 21
years. He was elected a member of
Providence Typographical Union at its
first meeting, April 18, 1857, but never
qualified by signing the constitution, going
to Washington, D. C., to work before the
next meeting. He had a splendid reputa-
tion among printers for his liberality to
his employes and fair dealing. In the
Masonic order he had held nearly every
position of importance in the State.
RALPH FREEMAN — Born Central
Falls, R. L, Feb. 8, 1877; learned print-
ing at E. L. Freeman & Sons, beginning
in 1881 ; admitted to Providence Union
by card at the October meeting, 1905 ;
participated in the effort for the eight-
hour day in 1906.
Initiated Into Providence Union on Dates
Named:
JOHN P. FALLON (pressman), Sept.
28, 1890.
CHARLES W. FARNHAM, Dec. 8, 1866.
SAMUEL C. FARRON, March 28, 1886.
JOHN W. FIFE, June 12, 1858.
LUKE H. FLOOD, April 29, 1888.
J. H. FOLEY, Jan. 31, 1897.
MILTON C. FOSS, July 11, 1863.
JOHN FRATER, April 29, 1893.
DANIEL B. FULLER, June 24, 1888.
FRANK E. FULLER, Feb. 26, 1893.
Admitted by Card on Dates Named:
R. V. FAIRLAMB, March 27, 1884.
C, A. FALLER, April 15, 1883. Re-
ported dead.
THOMAS J. FALLON, February, 1886.
HENRY M. FARNHAM, October, 1873.
JOHN P. FARNHAM, Oct. 27, 1895.
JOSEPH P. FARWELL, Sept. 30, 1883.
J. F. FEDRO, Aug. 27, 1884.
R. S. FERGUSON, February, 1886.
CHARLES FEUCHTER, July 10, 1870.
F. W. FINLEY, June, 1886.
T. FINNEY, June 26, 1904.
EDWIN FITZGERALD, August, 1886;
November, 1888.
J. N. FITZGERALD, April 22, 1883.
SAMUEL FLEMING, May 8, 1869.
OWEN FLOOD, Dec. 14, 1872.
MICHAEL D. FLYNN, July, 1888.
M. FLYNN, October, 1886.
E. P. FRANK, June, 1886.
ISAAC FREUDENTHAL, January, 1887.
J. J. FULLERTON, August, 1886.
FRANK L. FOSMIRE, October, 1883.
Names Found in Directory:
PATRICK H. FANNING — 1863 to 1870.
M. F. FARRELL — 1860.
WILLIAM FISHER — 1859.
JAMES F. FORSYTH — 1841 ; worked at
Journal office.
HENRY W. FOSDICK — f844 ; worked
over 15 Market square.
Printers Known to Have Worked Here:
ORRA H. FELLOWS— Name in 1870
constitution.
THOMAS FITZPATRICK — Learned
trade in Providence ; worked at Alber-
type Co.
J. HARRY FOSTER — Born in New
York and learned trade there ; worked in
Providence.
E. H. FRICKER — Born in 1875 ; learned
printing in Olneyville.
EZEKIEL C. GARDINER — Born Exe-
ter, R. I., Feb. 1, 1839. When 15 years
old he came to Providence and began an
apprenticeship to the printing trade in
the office of A. Crawford Greene, with
whom he remained five years. Later he
went to North Attleboro to work, where
he remained two years, when he again
returned to Providence to re-enter the
employ of Mr. Greene. At the outbreak
of the Civil war he enlisted in Co. D,
2d R. I. Vols. After 28 months in the
field he became ill, and on his recovery
was put into the invalid corps, serving
for some time as clerk in the hospital at
Portsmouth Grove, R. I. He was hon-
orably discharged at Fort Wood, New
THE JOURNEYMEN
XXXV
York harbor, June 6, 1864. After his dis-
charge from the army he entered the
mill business for a while at Ashaway,
R. I. He soon returned to his trade as
printer, and was initiated into Provi-
dence Union Aug. 13, 1864. He then
went to Fall River to assist S. Angler
Chace in printing the Fall River Monitor.
In 1865 he removed to New Bedford,
where he died Aug. 10, 1901. He was
employed on the Evening Standard for
a period of 25 years. He served the city
of New Bedford as Councilman and
Alderman, and for two years was Chief
of Police, and later a member of the
Board of Overseers of the Poor. He
was a Past Master of Star in the East
Masonic Lodge, a member of Adoniram
Royal Arch Chapter and a Past Com-
mander of Sutton Commandery. He was
also a member of Post 190, G. A. R., and
a charter member of the New Bedford
Printers' Benefit Association and chair-
man of the board of trustees of Bay
State Lodge, N. E. O. P., for many years.
PHILIP GILLARD GAIR — Born To-
ronto, Can., June 20, 1869 ; learned print-
ing on the Advance at Dutton, Ontario,
Can. ; worked in Providence from July 6,
1893, to Feb. 13, 1901; two years on the
News and five years on the Telegram ;
also was in the job printing business at
741 Westminster street for a while with
Fred A. Manson ; initiated into Los
Angeles Union in 1902 ; in 1905 was
located at Santa Barbara, Cal.
MICHAEL GARVEY — Admitted to
Providence Union by card at the Novem-
ber meeting, 1905 ; came out of the
Standard Printing Co. Jan. 1, 1906, for
the eight-hour day ; left the city shortly
after.
HOWARD P. GATLEY — Born Port-
land, Me., Feb. 17, 1883 ; learned print-
ing in Portland, beginning in 1898 ;
worked in Providence in December, 1903~;
in 1904 was located in Washington, D. C.
HARRY E. GATRELL — Born at Ford-
ingbridge, England, and learned printing
trade there ; worked in Providence from
1892 to 1906 ; for several years was fore-
man of the Evening Telegram ; initiated
into Providence Union Feb. 24, 1901.
CHARLES C. GAUVIN — Born Ste.
Rosalie, P. Q., Sept. 29, 1862 ; learned
printing on a French newspaper in Woon-
socket ; worked in Providence for about
one year in 1881 ; since then has lived in
Woonsocket ; eight years in job offices,
seven years with Evening Reporter, five
years manager of La Tribune, and four
years as an insurance broker ; repre-
sented Woonsocket three years in the
Common Council and three years in the
General Assembly.
THOMAS CARLETON GAWLEY —
Born Chatham, Ont., Feb. 24, 1850 ;
learned printing in that town, beginning
in 1863; admitted to Providence Union by
card Aug. 13, 1870 ; worked in this city
on the Morning Herald in 1870 and 1872,
and on the Journal in 1881. In 1904 he
wrote : "Having worked all over the
United States, Canada and Mexico, I can
truthfully say that Providence, in the
early 70's, was the ideal town for 'birds
of passage.' " For the last ten years of
his life he was a proofreader on the
New .York Herald. He died in New York
city June 25, 1905.
E. F. GEBHARDT — Died at Syracuse,
N. Y., April 18, 1898, aged 34 years; he
visited Texas in Februray of 1898 for the
benefit of his health ; admitted to Provi-
dence Union by card Feb. 27, 1884.
ROBERT H. GEBHARDT — Born New
York city Feb. 25, 1878; learned printing
on the New York Weekly, beginning in
June, 1892; worked in Providence on the
News in 1898. "The two features I en-
joyed while in Providence were the shore
dinners and good fellowship of the mem-
bers of No. 33." Located in New York
city in 1904.
FAYETTE U. GEER — Initiated into
Providence Union May 17, 1888; Presi-
dent of Pawtucket Union in 1898; Presi-
dent Providence Union in 1904, but did
not finish term, going to Boston, where
he has since been employed on the Globe
as a linotype operator.
JOSEPH GERHARDT — Born East
Providence Jan. 7, 1887 ; learned printing
in office of Providence Journal, beginning
Feb. 16, 1903 ; initiated into Providence
Union at February meeting, 1907 ; night
linotype operator on Journal.
WILLIAM J. GHENT — Born Frank-
fort, Ind. ; began to learn printing in that
town August, 1879 ; worked in Providence
May-November, 1884, on Star and Press ;
April- June, 1886, on Star and Telegram,
on both visits depositing a card with No.
33. Mr. Ghent is now secretary of Rand
School of Social Science, New York city,
and also lecturer. He is the author of
"A Benevolent Feudalism," "Mass and
Class" and other works.
EZRA GIFFORD — Born 1871 ; began to
learn printing in Providence in 1886 ;
initiated into Providence Union Dec. 28,
1900 ; now located in Boston.
DAVID L. GILBERT — Born Andes,
N. Y., May 15, 1856; learned printing at
Delhi, N. Y., on the Gazette, beginning
in 1873 ; his home was in Albany, N. Y.,
for about 27 years, but worked also in
the New England States, New York and
New Jersey ; first came to Providence in
1900 ; admitted by card from Rutland
(Vt.) Union in January, 1906, during the
strike.
WILLIAM E. GILLESPIE — Born Pic-
tou, N. xS. ; died Boston, Mass., Dec. 3.
1906, aged 48 years ; learned printing on
XXXVI
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
Pictou Standard, beginning in 1872 ; ad-
mitted to Providence Union by card July
30, 1884 ; worked about six months on
Journal ; last five years of his life he was
employed on the Boston Post.
MARTIN F. GILLOON — Born Boston
March 16, 1862 ; learned printing at Rand
& Avery's, Boston, beginning in 1878;
initiated into Providence Union Dec. 26,
1883 ; died in Chattanooga, Tenn., March
10, 1907, of tuberculosis.
SABINO GIORDANO — Born Italy Nov.
27, 1871 ; learned printing in his native
country ; was a member of Chicago Union,
No. 16, in 1893, and of New York Italian
Branch, No. 261, in 1897 ; has been in
Providence since 1898; was initiated into
Providence Union May 27, 1900; at pres-
ent employed at Livermore & Knight's.
BENJAMIN L. GLASBY — Name in
Directory 1844-'47, former year at Daily
Gazette office ; enlisted in 5th R. I. H.
Artillery Oct. 16, 1861, Corporal of Co.
E; Jan. 30, 1863, discharged for disa-
bility ; in 1859 vice president New York
Union, No. 6.
HARRY G. GLASBY — Born West
Chester, Pa., Aug. 24, 1862 ; learned to
operate linotype machine in the office of
Providence Journal, beginning in 1889,
and has worked in that office since ; be-
came member of No. 33 Jan. 29, 1893.
ALFRED W. GLEASON— Born Man-
chester, Conn., March 29, 1855 ; learned
printing on the Hartford Courant, begin-
ning Dec. 2, 1871 ; initiated into Provi-
dence Union Dec. 18, 1892 ; was for six
months foreman of the Meriden Republi-
can ; also worked on the Springfield Re-
publican ; at present located In Woon-
socket.
MALVERN E. GLEASON — Born March
27, 1863, at Thompson, Conn. ; learned
printing in Danielson, Conn., beginning in
1877 ; initiated into Providence Union
March 27, 1887, and worked at the busi-
ness in this city from June 17, 1882, to
July 24, 1888; has since been connected
with F. A. Chase & Co., mill supplies, in
this city.
OWEN M. GLEDHILL — Born Woon-
socket and died there June 6, 1888, aged
28 years, 11 months and 25 days; initi-
ated into Providence Union April 8, 1883 ;
financial secretary in 1886-'87 ; worked on
Evening Telegram.
WILLIAM GODDARD — The first
printer to establish that trade in Provi-
dence, was born in New London, Conn.,
in 1740, the son of Dr. Giles Goddard
and Sarah Updike. On his mother's side
his ancestry extended back to the first
settlers of Rhode Island and Connecti-
cut. Lodowyck, her father, was the son
of Gysbert Opdyck, the Dutch commander
of Fort Hope at Hartford, Conn., in 1638,
and Catherine, wife of Gysbert, was a
daughter of Richard Smith, 2d, whose
father, in 1639, purchased 30,000 acres
of land from Narragansett sachems. The
purchase included "all the land on the
west side of Narragansett bay, north of
Annaquatucket river, east of the 'Pequot
path' and south of Allen's harbor." Upon
this tract, called "Cocumscussuc," the
first Richard Smith erected a block
house for trading with the Indians. At
this block house the expedition that de-
feated the Indians in the Great Swamp
fight rendezvoused, and to it the rem-
nants of that party returned after the
victory over the savages. William God-
dard, through the influence of his mother,
served an apprenticeship to the* printing
trade in the office of James Parker in
New York city. His father had been
postmaster in New London, and possibly
that experience was the means of attract-
ing Mrs. Goddard's attention to the print-
ing craft, as many of the postmasters
of those days were also printers. About
the 1st of July, 1762, Goddard opened
his printing office in Providence, and in
October following issued the first num-
ber of the Gazette. After a short expe-
rience he abandoned the enterprise and
went to New York city to work at his
trade as a journeyman printer. He was
an ardent Revolutionary patriot. It was
at that time that the following incident
described in "Hudson's Journalism in the
United States" took place :
"There was published in Burlington,
N. J., Saturday, Sept. 21, 1765, a paper
under the title of the Constitutional
Courant. It was printed by 'Andrew
Marvel, at the sign of the bribe refused,
on Constitution Hill, North America.'
The real printer was William Goddard.
With its title it had for a device a cut
representing a snake divided into eight
parts, each part denoting a section or
colony — the head and neck representing
New England and the body New York,
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland,
Virginia, North Carolina and South Caro-
lina, with the motto : 'Join or Die.'
"The Constitutional Courant was sold
in the streets of New York and produced
a sensation. It was noticed by the Gov-
ernment. There was a 'council of war'
on the paper. One of the 'newsboys' of
that time, Samuel Sweeney — there are
many of that name nowadays — on being
asked by the council 'where that incendi-
ary paper was printed, answered, 'At
Peter Hassenclever's Iron Works, please
your honor.' "
Goddard started the Pennsylvania
Chronicle and Universal Advertiser in
Philadelphia in 1767. In August, 1773,
in Baltimore, he started the Maryland
Journal and Baltimore Advertiser. At
one time after the Revolution he held the
position of Surveyor General of Post
Roads from the National Government.
He was married to Miss Abigail Angell,
eldest daughter of Gen. Israel Angell, in
Cranston, R. L, on May 25, 1785. The
THE JOURNEYMEN
XXXVII
last years of his life were spent in farm-
ing in Providence. He died here Dec.
23, 1817, at the age of 77 years.
BERT A. GOODRICH — Born in 1863 ;
applied for membership in Burlington
(Vt.) Union July, 1901; learned printing
in Herald and News office at Randolph,
Vt., beginning in 1880 ; had worked in
Providence, R. I. ; in 1901 was employed
at Middlebury, Vt.
P. W. GOODSON — Admitted to Provi-
dence Union by card June 27, 1897 ;
brother to the inventor of the Goodson
typesetting machine ; in 1904 was No.
4430 in New York Union.
EBEN GORDON — Was a charter mem-
ber of Providence Union in 1857 ; initi-
ated again May 21, 1864, after his return
from the Civil war; vice president of the
Union in 1857 and 1859 ; President in
1870; worked on Herald in 1872; went
to Boston that year and worked on Her-
ald there; died in that city in 1888. He
enlisted June 5, 1861, in Co. C, 2d Inf.;
discharged for disability Oct. 3, 1863.
WILLIAM S. GORDON— Initiated into
Providence Union Aug. 27, 1893 ; he was
foreman of the Telegram for a short
time; also worked on the News ; in 1904
was employed on the New York World.
JOHN R. GORE — Died by suicide at
Syracuse, N. Y., June 20, 1904, aged 45
years ; he was admitted to Providence
Union by card at the January meeting,
1886.
JAMES M. GOULD — Died Grosvenor-
dale, Conn., April 5, 1904 ; born in Alle-
gheny, Pa., and learned printing in the
office of the Pittsburg Dispatch ; was a
compositor on the Providence Telegram
in 1880; admitted to No. 33 by card May
27, 1883 ; later he worked in New York
and Philadelphia, and was foreman of
the Windham County Standard, published
in Putnam, Conn.
GEORGE GRAHAM— Died by suicide
in Newark, N. J., March 9, 1902, aged
46 years. He was born in Scotland and
came to this country with his father
when a boy. He received a good educa-
tion and then learned printing. He was
one of the fastest hand compositors in
the country. In a contest in Boston he
.won a diamond-studded watch. He was
employed as a writer on a New Haven
paper and also on the New York Star.
As a printer he travelled extensively,
stopping in Providence in 1887, when he
deposited his card in December of that
year.
JAMES H. GRAHAM — Born Lebanon,
O., Jan. 13, 1864 ; learned printing there,
beginning in 1883; worked at the busi-
ness in Milwaukee, Chicago, New York
and Cincinnati ; located in Providence in
1892; initiated into No. 33 Feb. 24, 1901;
member of executive committee several
years.
THOMAS GRAHAM — Born Providence
April 26, 1861 ; learned printing at What
Cheer office, beginning in 1878; initiated
into Providence Union Dec. 26, 1883;
was a master printer for about four
years ; participated in the effort for the
eight-hour day in 1906.
JOHN ALLAN GRANT — Died Boston
Jan. 23, 1903, aged 41 years; initiated
into Providence Union Nov. 12, 1884 ; his
body was cremated at Forest Hills.
EDWARD GRATTON — Was in part-
nership with John Miller for a short time
in 1826. He was a job printer.
CHARLES C. GRAY— Born Little
Compton, R. I., Dec. 27, 1841 ; removed
to Providence in 1854. He was working
as a printer when the Civil war began ;
enlisted May 2, 1861, in 1st R. I. Light
Battery, serving three months ; re-
enlisted Sept. 4, 1861, in Battery D, 1st
R. I. Light Artillery; re-enlisted again
Jan. 31, 1864 ; received a commission as
Second Lieutenant May 26, 1864, and
served until the close of the war. He
was one of the bravest soldiers from
Rhode Island. At Antietam 39 men were
lost from his battery and but one com-
rade and himself remained with one of
the guns; again at Knoxville, Tenn. (Nov.
29, 1863), he distinguished himself. The
following from Harper's Magazine of
February, 1865, tells how a rebel battery
•was captured after the defeat of Early's
army Oct. 19, 1864: "Lieut. Gray of
Battery D galloped up to a retiring bat-
tery and ordered it to face about and
turn into the pike. 'I was told to go to
the rear as rapidly as possible,' remon-
strated the captain in command. 'You
don't seem to know who I am,' answered
Gray. 'I am one of those d — d Yanks.
Countermarch immediately.' The battery
was countermarched, and Gray was lead-
ing it off alone when a squadron of our
cavalry came up and made the capture
a certainty." Since the close of the war
he has been prominent in the G. A. R.
and was Chief Marshal of the ceremonies
on Battle Flag Day, Oct. 17, 1903. He
was for several years a member of the
House of Representatives from Provi-
dence; State Auditor from 1899 to 1907;
also Insurance Commissioner for the
State. Mr. Gray was a member of the
printing firm of Millard, Gray & Simp-
son and owner of the Rhode Island Print-
ing Co. He was initiated into Providence
Union March 9, 1867 ; vice president in
1867 and 1868; President in 1869 and
treasurer in 1870.
WILLIAM F. GRAY — Born Bristol,
R. I., March 16, 1866; learned printing
in that town, beginning in 1881 ; initiated
into Providence Union May 30, 1886, and
worked in this city until the fall of 1889 ;
in 1905 was employed on the Boston
Herald.
A. CRAWFORD GREENE — Born North
Kingstown, R. I., April 10, 1824 ; learned
XXXVIII
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
printing in Woonsocket, in his uncle's
office (William N. Sherman) ; in 1845
established a printing office in Provi-
dence, which he conducted until his death,
July 29, 1881, in' his 57th year. Captain
Co. G, 10th Inf., in the Civil war.
BENJAMIN GREENE — Born Provi-
dence, R. I., Nov. 1, 1879; learned the
printing trade in the office of the Evening
Telegram ; initiated into Providence Union
Jan. 26, .1902.
CHARLES A. GREENE — Born Natick,
R. I., Dec. 8, 1823; began to learn print-
ing in the office of the Bristol Phoenix
in 1837 ; worked in Providence and New
York city; bought the Phoenix in 1862
and conducted it until his death, which
occurred in Bristol May 14, 1899 ; he was
prominent in the political and militia
circles of Bristol.
JOHN FLAVEL GREENE — Born North
Kingstown, R. I., June 19, 1833 ; learned
printing in his brother's (A. Crawford
Greene) office, and in 1856 was in part-
nership with him at 24 Westminster
street; from 1867 to 1891 was in business
for himself, and his successors have con-
tinued his name to designate their office.
ROBERT GRIEVE — Born Sept. 16,
1855, at Linwood, Renfrewshire, Scotland;
came to America autumn of 1866 ; lived
in Fall River a few months ; Warwick,
R. I., four years ; New Bedford, eight
years ; Boston and Providence. Learned
trade : Providence Press Co., for a few
months in 1869; then in book and job
office of the Morning Mercury, New Bed-
ford, Mass., 1876-'78, going from there to
Boston and shortly after coming to Provi-
dence, where he has since remained.
Worked in Providence for A. Crawford
Greene ; J. A. & R. A. Reid (as composi-
tor, collector, clerk and confidential sec-
retary, assistant manager and editor and
writer) ; Providence Press Co., Provi-
dence Journal, News (compositor and re-
porter), Telegram (compositor and proof-
reader) ; also in some smaller printing
offices at various times. Publisher and
editor of The People, labor paper, 1885-
'87 ; The Times, a fortnightly railroad
guide and business paper, 1888-' 89 ; wrote
guide books and specials for J. A. & R.
A. Reid, also history of "Cotton Centen-
nial," 1890. Wrote Illustrated History
of Pawtucket, 1896. During this period
likewise wrote many specials for Provi-
dence Journal and other publications.
Editor Journal of Commerce 1897-1900 ;
manager Journal of Commerce 1898-1902.
Has published many smaller and fugitive
publications, pamphlets, etc. Executive
secretary to Gov. Garvin, 1903-'04. Studied
law and was admitted to R. I. bar 1906.
Mr. Grieve was initiated into Providence
Union March 27, 1884, and served as
President for a portion of that year.
EDWARD N. GRIFFITHS — Born Provi-
dence, R. I., Nov. 26, 1873 ; learned print-
ing trade in office of the Evening Times,
Pawtucket, where he was employed in
1904 ; worked in Providence in 1894 and
again in 1904.
WILLIAM GROGAN — Admitted to
Providence Union by card at the October
meeting in 1886; withdrew card in
March, 1887.
MELVIN GUSHEE — Came to Provi-
dence from Mansfield, Mass, in 1884 to
work for R. I. Printing Co.; about 1892
he quit the business to become private
secretary to a New York bank president.
Initiated Into Providence Typographical
Union on Dates Named:
THOMAS GAHAN, Feb. 26, 1893.
ASHTON H. GARDINER, charter
member 1857.
L. E. GARDINER, elected to member-
ship March 29, 1903 ; obligated by Glen's
Falls Union.
A. F. GERRISH, Sept. 26, 1886.
GEORGE L. GOODMAN, Aug. 28, 1887.
HENRY W. GOODNOW, Jan. 28, 1900.
JOHN C. GOODWIN. Feb. 26, 1899.
SHELDON E. GOFFE, March 30, 1899.
Admitted by Card on Dates Named:
JOHN GALLOWAY, Harrisburg, Pa.,
Aug. 8. 1868.
WALTER G. GAST, November, 1886.
Reported dead.
W. J. GOW, March 29, 1903.
EDMUND GELINAS, Sept. 25, 1892.
WILLIAM H. GEROW, Sept. 30, 1883.
ROBERT GLIDDEN, November, 1888.
LUKE A. GOLDEN, March, 1886. Died
in Hartford.
T. W. F. GOODE, January, 1886.
ANDREW H. GORMAN, Nov. 30, 1902 ;
Feb. 7, 1904.
WILLIAM GORNALL, May 29, 1894.
ANTHONY P. GUINAN, July 30, 1884.
Died in Newark, N. J.
A. GRAHAM, July,1886. Reported dead.
CHARLES GRAHAM, October, 1886.
WILLIAM GRAHAM, Boston, July 11,
1868.
JOHN GRANT, Sept. 9, 1871.
J. STANLEY GRANT, June, 1886.
CHARLES E. GRAY, Sept. 26, 1897.
GEORGE W. GREENE, July 29, 1900.
W. S. GREENE, May, 1885.
P. B. GRISTE, Philadelphia, Sept. 14,
1867.
JOHN T. GRUBB, Feb. 22, 1885.
Names from Providence Directory :
THOMAS GLASBY — 1844 at 2 Canal
street; 1847 at 5 Canal street.
JOHN H. GODFREY — 1844.
JOHN S. GREENE — 1828 publisher
Christian Telescope at 7 North Main
street ; also started the Republican-Her-
ald July 1 of that year.
Printers Known to Have Worked Here:
GEORGE F. GAYLORD — Early 70's.
SEIGMUND GLASER— Sept. 14, 1872.
THE JOURNEYMEN
XXXIX
CHARLES A. GREENE — In business
on Washington row.
CHARLES T. GREENE — Aug. 8, 1874.
E. W. GUILFORD — 1856 on Journal.
WILLIAM J. HAGERTY — Initiated
into Providence Union Sept. 28, 1885.
He was for many years foreman of the
What Cheer Print, and when he resigned
from that position to go to Chicago in
June, 1889, he was presented with a gold-
headed cane.
JEREMIAH R. HALEY — Born Monti-
cello, N. Y., Oct. 27, 1869 ; learned print-
ing on Monticello Watchman, beginning
in 1883 ; initiated into Providence Union
May 17, 1888, and worked on the Evening
Telegram until the strike of 1889, when
he went to Woonsocket and worked there
as reporter and compositor for three
years ; was secretary of Woonsocket
Union for two years ; went to New York
city in 1892 and worked on the Times;
later went to Syracuse and was employed
two years on the Post-Standard ; then
returned to New York and was employed
on the Brooklyn Citizen; in 1902 he was
delegate from No. 6 to the I. T. U. con-
vention, held at Cincinnati, O. ; Decem-
ber, 1905, visited Denver, Col., to benefit
his health.
AHIRA HALL — Born Cambridgeport,
Mass., May 22, 1849 ; learned printing
trade with Pierce & Budlong, whose
office was then located in Barton Block,
beginning in 1865 ; worked at A. Craw-
ford Greene's office, on the R. I. Lantern,
General Advertiser and East Greenwich
Pendulum ; also for many years on the
Evening Press ; in Pawtucket five years
on the Times, beginning with the first
number ; later at Snow & Farnum's on
the Providence Town Records ; initiated
into Providence Union Jan. 11, 1873 ; now
in the grocery business on Thayer street,
Providence.
BENJAMIN L. HALL — Born Fall
River, Mass., Sept. 11, 1838; began work
at the printing trade with Benjamin T.
Albro in this city in 1854, serving three
years, and then left the business. Mr.
Hall thinks that while he worked for Mr.
Albro he made and used the first paper
collar. It came about in this way : Young
Hall and a journeyman were painting a
press. The latter tried to induce Hall to
take a difficult part of the job without
success. In anger the journeyman threw
his paint brush at Hall, striking him in
the face and covering his neck and collar
with paint. The boy did not wish to be
rebuked at home, so he got rid of the
stains on his clothing, but his collar was
ruined. He then made a paper collar
and wore it for several days. He was
not experienced enough to patent his in-
vention. Afterward paper collars were
extensively used. In 1857 Mr. Hall
started in the jewelry business and con-
tinued at it until 1889, with the exception
of the time he was in the Civil War with
the First and Fifth Regiments. He was
at the first battle of Bull Run. At the
battle of Newbern he stood beside Benj.
L. Glasby (printer) when the latter was
wounded. He rose to the rank of Captain
in the service. In 1873 he entered into
the partnership of Hall & Willis. In 1891
Capt. Hall became Commander of the
Soldiers' Home at Bristol, which position
he now holds. Nathan Hall was his uncle
and E. B. Hall his brother.
EDWARD B. HALL — Born Fall River,
Mass., Aug. 24, 1830 ; he was apprenticed
to Henry Pratt in the office of the Fall
River Monitor for five years, in 1846 ;
served a little more than a year and "lit
out" and came to Providence ; went to
work for Albro & Hall, who had an office
in the "Old Coffee House," corner Canal
street and Market square ; later worked
on the Post, of which George W. Daniel-
son was at that time foreman, and on
the Evening Press from its start until he
enlisted in the llth Regiment in 1862.
After his return from the war Mr. Hall
went to New York city, where he has
been employed since on the Times. Mr.
Hall was a charter member of Providence
Union in 1857, and is now one of the four
surviving charter members.
FRED C. HALL — Born Canterbury,
Conn., Aug. 21, 1863 ; learned printing
trade in Danielson, Conn. ; has worked
in several offices in Connecticut and Mas-
sachusetts towns ; joined Providence
Union April 25, 1886; worked in Journal
of Commerce office five years, and with
the Evening Bulletin until he became
assistant foreman of the Journal, which
position he now holds.
FRED. I. HALL — Born Lowell, Mass.,
June, 1864 ; learned printing in the Times
office, Lowell, beginning in 1878 ; worked
in Providence in 1886-87 ; in New York
city in 1904.
GEORGE W. HALL (son of Nathan
Hall) — Born Providence March, 1825 ;
died August, 1893 ; learned printing at
Knowles' office and worked there about
four years after serving his apprentice-
ship ; then went to Boston for about two
years, and then to New Orleans for about
one year ; from there to the Government
Printing Office, Washington, D. C., for
several years ; entered the Pension
Bureau, where he was employed con-
tinuously for over thirty years, with the
exception of one year (1889-90), when
he was removed by Commissioner Tanner,
but was later reinstated by Secretary
Noble. His services in the Pension
Office were recognized by his being de-
tailed to the board of review, upon whose
decisions depended the fate of pension
claims.
JOHN W. D. HALL — Was partner
with Brown Simmons for a few weeks in
October, 1829, in the publication of the
Literary Subaltern. In 1832 he conducted
a lottery office at 25 Arcade.
XL
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
JOSEPH D. HALL, JR. — Born Daniel-
son, Conn., Aug. 29, 1856 ; learned trade
in the office of the Danielson Herald. In
Providence he worked several years on
the Journal ; published the Providence
Journal of Commerce (now Board of
Trade Journal), of which he was Presi-
dent and Manager ; was Manager of The
Call, published by Typographical Union,
No. 33 ; author of "Humbugs and Can-
terbury Folks," "Twentieth Century Va-
cation," "Biographical History of Manu-
facturers and Business Men of Rhode
Island ;" writer under the pseudonym of
"Mrs. Wilberforce ;" also publisher of
these, together with a number of Board
of Trade books of New England and
numerous small publications. "Mrs. Wil-
berforce" pronounces unionism the great-
est blessing of the age for all concerned,
because it compels justice and equality
to all men more than any other force
that has ever been tried. Was business
manager of Providence News in 1904.
Mr. Hall joined Providence Typographical
Union June 27, 1886, and held the office
of President one year. He says : "As
manager of The Call we were enabled to
settle all bills when the paper closed up
its business."
NATHAN HALL, — Died Providence,
Feb. 13, 1877, aged 75 years and 5
months. He was born in Warren, R. I.,
but learned printing here, serving five
years' apprenticeship with H. H. Brown,
then publisher of the Gazette, beginning
Nov. 17, 1817. With the exception of five
years, two of which were spent in New
York city and three in Fall River, he
worked all the years of his journeyman
days in this city. Jan. 1, 1826, he started
the Monitor in Fall River, but subse-
quently sold it. For a long time he was
foreman of the largest job printing office
in this city (Knowles & Vose) ; was
associated with B. T. Albro and later
with Robert A. Pierce, and for many
years was in the employ of the Provi-
dence Press Co. In 1835-36 with C. S.
Jones he published the Daily News. On
his 70th birthday the Evening Press
printed a sketch of his life, concluding
as follows : "He is a worthy member of
the art preservative of all arts, his life
an example none need be ashamed to
pattern by. The 'line' of his life is duly
'justified,' his 'form' well 'imposed,' and
we may hope that the final 'impression'
shall be satisfactory and need no 're-
vision." Mr. Hall was vice president
of the first printers' Union in Providence
in 1854, was a charter member of No. 33
in 1857, and elected its first President at
its institution, June, 1857.
WALTER E. HALL — Born Danielson,
Conn., Oct. 14, 1871 ; learned printing in
that town, beginning in January, 1889 ;
initiated into Providence Union Aug. 27,
1893, and worked here eight years;
located at E. L. Freeman's, Central Falls,
R. I., in 1904.
JAMES S. HAM — Born Providence
March 8, 1809; died here Sept. 8, 1865;
learned the trade of a printer in the
office of Hugh H. Brown, from which
circumstance he used to claim that he
was typographically descended from Ben-
jamin Franklin. John Carter learned his
trade of Franklin, Hugh H. Brown
learned his trade of Carter, and James
S. Ham learned his trade of Brown. He
became a thorough printer and proof-
reader, and worked as a journeyman in
this city, in Washington and in Cam-
bridge, Mass. For a long time he was a
proofreader on the Washington Globe
and could have had an editorial position
on that paper but for disagreeing with
its politics. He would take no position
in which it would be necessary for him
to withhold the full and open expression
of his Whig sentiments. His first edi-
torial employment was on the Providence
Daily Advertiser (1831), in which posi-
tion he continued two years. In 1833, in
company with Joseph Knowles, he pur-
chased the Microcosm, American and
Gazette, a weekly paper, which was con-
tinued for one year. Twice he had the
editorial charge of the Providence Jour-
nal, once for six months in 1855 and
again in 1860 for a longer time. Mr.
Ham was the "Old Mortality" of Rhode
Island public men. He was familiar with
every conspicuous struggle for party
supremacy in this State, with its outside
and inside history. He was several times
Alderman and often served as Acting
Mayor in the absence of the chief mu-.
nicipal officer of Providence.
DAVID HAMILTON — Born Toronto,
Ontario, in 1858 ; learned printing on the
Guelph Herald; beginning in 1873 ;
worked in Providence in 1886 ; admitted
to No. 33 by card February, 1886 ;
located in New York city in 1904.
JOSEPH A. HAMILTON — Born Que-
bec, Can., Oct. 19, 1858 ; died Woon-
socket, R. L, Feb. 7, 1904 ; joined Provi-
dence Union by card Dec. 27, 1885, and
worked here on the Evening Telegram ;
later he was employed in Pawtucket ; in
1890 he removed to Woonsocket. At his
death eight children were left orphans,
the oldest but 17. His wife died in Sep-
tember, 1903.
WALTER CHARLES HAMM — Grad-
uate of Brown University in 1870. Dur-
ing his four years' attendance at college
he learned the trade of compositor in the
Journal composing room ; member edi-
torial staff New York Tribune 1875-83 ;
Philadelphia Press 1883-1903 ; U. S. Con-
sul at Hull, Eng., 1903.
OWEN J. HAMMALL — Born Toronto,
Can., June 18, 1866 ; learned printing in
office of Toronto Globe, beginning in
1881 ; admitted by card to Providence
Union at the April meeting, 1886 ; "best
summer town in experience ;" visited
Providence again in 1907.
THE JOURNEYMEN
XLI
JOHN S. HAMMOND — Was employed
at Journal office in 1826 as a printer.
Between the years 1836 and 1853 he was
a bookseller on Market square. In the
latter year he resumed the occupation of
a printer and was for many years man-
ager of the Journal job office.
THOMAS S. HAMMOND (son of John
S. Hammond) — Born Providence Dec. 8,
1844 ; learned printing in the Journal job
office, beginning in 1860. About 1871, in
partnership with Henry F. Ferrin, a
noted auctioneer, he established an office
for the publication of the Temple of
Honor and Freemason's Repository in the
building on Weybosset street next east
of the Arcade. In time the Temple of
Honor was discontinued and the Free-
mason's Repository was sold to B. L.
Freeman. In 1894 Mr. Hammond started
the Cranston City Times. During the
continuance of the Chicago World's Fair
he published' for the State the R. I.
World's Fair Bulletin.
CHARLES WALTER HANDY — Young-
est son of Major Handy of Newport, R. I.,
died March 30, 1818, in the 17th year
of his age, after a two weeks' illness.
For three years he had been a highly
valuable clerk and compositor in the
Rhode Island American office. He was
buried in St. John's Churchyard Sunday,
April 1, 1818.
ARTHUR HANLEY — Born Ireland in
1839 and died in Providence Dec. 30,
1883; he learned printing in this city;
initiated into Providence Union May 9,
1863 ; on honorary list in 1877 ; for many
years and until 1882 he was employed on
the Weekly Visitor.
FRANK HANRAHAN — Born Taunton,
Mass., Oct. 17, 1860; learned printing at
J. A. & R. A. Reid's, beginning in 1881 ;
worked for a short time in Attleboro and
Pawtucket ; initiated into Providence
Union March 29, 1903.
ROBERT HARCUS — Died at Union
Printers' Home, Colorado Springs, Oct. 13,
1904. He had been sent there from New
York Union. He was born in Kirkwall,
Orkney Islands, Scotland, May 8, 1865;
learned printing in the office of the Ork-
ney Herald ; worked in Providence in
1884-85.
WILLtAM C. HARCUS— Born Scotland
Sept. 7, 1863; learned printing at Kirk-
wall, Orkney Islands, Scotland; initiated
into Providence Union June 27, 1886;
worked on the Evening Telegram and at
the Standard Printing Co. and for a num-
ber of years at E. L. Freeman's, Central
Falls ; in Brockton in 1907.
IRVING C. HARGRAVES — Born Ol-
neyville Aug. 17, 1858; learned printing
on Evening Bulletin, beginning in 1876;
has been employed on that paper since ;
learned to operate linotype ; now proof-
reader ; initiated into Providence Union
May 30, 1886.
THOMAS M. HARKER — Born Carlisle.
Cumberland, England, in 1826 and learned
the printing trade in that city ; worked
in Providence from 1864 until his death
in 1872 ; was Superintendent of Provi-
dence Journal job office ; afterward en-
tered into partnership with Samuel Mil-
lard (Millard & Harker). War Record —
In 1861 enlisted in 79th New York High-
landers ; afterward transferred to Navy
and served as gunner's mate on the U. S.
gunboat Moose until his discharge in 1864.
JOHN F. HARRINGTON— Born Man-
chester, N. H., April 28, 1877 ; learned
printing on Manchester Union, beginning
July 19, 1892 ; admitted to Providence
Union by card at April meeting, 1907.
EPHRAIM HARRIS — Born Utica,
N. Y., Nov. 15, 1872 ; learned printing at
Mason's job office in that city, beginning
in 1888 ; came to Providence May 13,
1904 ; now employed on News-Democrat.
JOB HARRY — Born 1871; learned
printing in office of Kennett (Pa.) News
and Advertiser, beginning in 1887 ; was
member of Providence Union February,
1900 ; worked in Taunton, Mass., and
New Haven, Conn.
FREDERICK E. HART — Born Cincin-
nati, Ohio, in 1867 ; learned printing with
O. H. Harpel Pointing Co., Cincinnati, O.
His own story: "Started out at age of 15
with my uncle, who was an all-round
printer (tourist), for the South; worked
five years in Nashville, Tenn. ; then began
a tour of the United States ; crossed the
Texas plains, with a newspaper outfit, for
Silver City, N. M. ; attacked by Indians
110 miles from Phoenix, Arizona; lost the
outfit and got away by the skin of my
teeth; landed in St. Louis in 1890; got
married and settled down for a few
years, but again began to travel ; to Chi-
cago, St. Paul, Albany and — Providence ;
seven children, no money and still learn-
ing the business." Initiated into Provi-
dence Union Feb. 24, 1901. Drowned in
Warren river, in Swansea, Mass., July
14, 1906, while seining shrimp.
JOHN HARWOOD — Married to Mrs.
Nancy Eames July 20, 1799. His wife
Esther had died the previous month,
"after a long and distressing illness." In
making these announcements the Gazette
stated that Mr. Harwood was a printer.
John Harwood, a Revolutionary pen-
sioner, died Feb. 2, 1835, aged 74 years.
JOHN CARTER HARWOOD— Started
the Pawtucket Chronicle Nov. 12, 1825.
and sold it to Brown & Carlile of Provi-
dence in 1826. He was employed at the
American office in this city in 1824, and
from 1832 to 1836 at the Journal office,
according to the Directory. Later he
went to New York city, where he 'worked
as a journeyman printer until his death.
WALLACE WINFIELD HASKINS —
Born Pawtucket, R. I., June 6, 1874 ;
XLII
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
learned printing in Pawtucket, beginning
in 1889; admitted to Providence Union
by card July 29, 1900 ; worked on Paw-
tucket Times and later on Evening
Bulletin in Providence ; now employed on
Pawtucket Times.
J. FRANK HASKELL — Linotype ope-
rator; worked on Journal in 1889-90 and
made record on first type of machine ;
was working in Cincinnati, O., in 1899.
CHARLES HAVEN — Admitted to
Providence Union by card (from Boston)
April 14, 1860; elected President for first
six months of 1863 and served as Secre-
tary for rest of the year.
FRANK W. HAVENS— Born Hartford,
Conn. ; learned printing in office of Cou-
rant, of which his father was for many
years foreman of the pressroom ; initiated
into Providence Union Dec. 27, 1885; for
several years was night foreman of Jour-
nal, succeeding Robert Quinn.
DAVID HAWKINS — Was said to be
the oldest printer in the State when he
died, Feb. 5. 1865, at the age of 80, in
the town of North Providence, where he
had resided for the previous 50 years,
engaged for the larger part of the time
in agricultural pursuits. He learned the
"art and mystery" of printing of John
Carter, whose boast it was that he had
Dr. Franklin for his master. In company
with William W. Dunham, in 1808, Mr.
Hawkins established the Rhode Island
American, the third semi-weekly paper
published in the State. He continued his
connection with the American until 1813,
when he retired altogether from the
printing business.
WALTER D. HAWLEY — Born Malone,
N. Y., September, 1861 ; learned printing
in that town, beginning in 1882 ; admitted
to Providence Union by card May 28,
1884, and January, 1886; worked in New
York, Boston and other cities ; in October,
1906, visited Providence, but returned to
New York.
JAMES J HAY — Born St. Johns N. F. ;
learned printing in that city ; admitted
to Providence Union by card July, 1887 ;
worked on the Journal until 1889 ; was
employed at Norwood, Mass., in 1905.
AMBROSE A. HAYDEN — Died Provi-
dence Sept. 21, 1886; he was admitted to
Providence Union by card at the June
meeting, 1886.
MATTHEW A. HAYES — Born Albany,
N. Y., Sept. 23, 1859 ; learned printing in
Albany, beginning in 1874 ; admitted to
Providence Union by card July, 1886;
worked on Star, Journal and Telegram ;
visited Providence in June, 1907.
JOHN C. HAZARD — Born Providence
Oct. 27, 1883; learned printing on the
Telegram and News, beginning in 1901 ;
participated in the effort for the eight-
hour day and was initiated into Provi-
dence Union Jan. 28, 1906 ; now employed
on Tribune.
JOSEPH M. HAZZARD — Born Kent
county, Del., March 15, 1859 ; learned
printing in Wilmington, Del., beginning
in 1873 ; joined Providence Union by card
April 30, 1884, stopping in this city about
one year ; for several years managing
editor American Press Association in New
York city ; owner of Brooklyn Record in
1905.
SAMUEL K. HEAD — Died Arlington,
Mass., Feb. 20, 1901 ; he had worked at
printing in this city previous to 1872. His
father was one of the founders of the
Boston Herald.
FRANKLIN HEIMBACK — Born St.
Paul, Minn., Dec. 6, 1853 ; learned print-
ing in that city, beginning May 1, 1870 ;
visited Providence in the spring of 1885
and worked on Telegram ; in Jackson,
Miss., in 1904.
JONATHAN P. HELME — Died Provi-
dence May 10, 1877, aged 68 years and 4
months. His name appears in the Direc-
tory of 1832 as working at 12 Market
square ; he worked on the Courier, Jour-
nal and Post. In 1856 he was Custom
House Inspector. He was initiated into
Providence Union Dec. 13, 1862.
JAMES J. HENDERSON — Born Kings-
ton, N. B., May 11, 1870; learned printing
on the Rhode Island Democrat while
Benj. Evans conducted the paper ; now
employed in a private job office owned by
Young Bros., this city.
AMBROSE HIGGINS — Born New York
city Sept. 18, 1845 ; learned printing in
Norwich, Conn. ; worked in Providence in
1860-'61 ; in New London, Conn., in 1904.
GEORGE W. HILSMAN — Born Phila-
delphia, Pa., Nov. 25, 1880 ; learned print-
ing in that city, beginning in 1892, on the
Public Ledger ; initiated into Providence
Union Nov. 30, 1902 ; now employed on
Tribune.
JOSEPH G. HODGKINSON — Died Provi-
dence Feb. 4, 1903. He was a native of
England and learned printing in that
country. He came to the United States in
1879 ; was initiated into Providence Union
April 8, 1883, and worked on the Tele-
gram ; he worked also in Brooklyn, New
York city and Paterson, N. J. He re-
turned to Providence in September, 1902,
and was an employe of the Journal at
the time of his death.
THOMAS CADMAN HOE — Born 1845;
learned printing in office of The North-
western at Oshkosh, Wis., beginning in
1865 ; worked all over country, including
Providence, R. I. ; applied for membership
in Madison (Wis.) Union in 1901.
MAX HOFFMAN — Born Bennisch,
Silesia, Austria, Sept. 25, 1879; learned
THE JOURNEYMEN
XLIH
printing in Kansas City, Mo., beginning-
May 31, 1892 ; worked in Providence since
1897, with J. C. Hall Co., Tribune, News-
Democrat and Journal ; joined Providence
Union April 30, 1899.
OSCAR D. HOLLAND — Born Provi-
dence Jan. 13, 1879 ; learned printing with
his father, John Holland, beginning in
1892; initiated into Providence Union
Dec. 31, 1899 ; member firm of John Hol-
land & Son.
STEPHEN G. HOLROYD ("Uncle Ste-
phen")— Born Providence June 12, 1807 ;
died there Feb. 10, 1884 ; learned the
trade of a printer, working as a journey-
man until Feb. 2, 1833, when, in part-
nership with Sylvester S. Southworth, he
published the Daily Gazette. The paper
lived nine months, when it was made a
weekly and soon after discontinued. In
1837-'40, in partnership with Andrew M.
Barber, he published the Otsego Repub-
lican, at Cooperstown, N. Y. This town
was the home of the novelist, James Fen-
nimore Cooper, who at that time was in
some disfavor with the public because of
the many strictures on American ideas,
methods and manners contained in some
of his books. A New York newspaper,
in criticising one of Cooper's novels, pub-
lished an article full of personal abuse of
the novelist. This article was copied into
many newspapers, Mr. Holroyd's among
others, and the result was a series of
libel suits. The Otsego Republican was
an unsuccessful defendant in one of them
and in consequence Mr. Holroyd returned
to the ranks of the journeymen, working
for a short time on the Freeman's Jour-
nal, in Cooperstown, and, in 1841, in New
York city. There he worked on the
Tribune, which started in 1841, and on
the Courier and Enquirer, then one of
the leading papers of that city. In 1849
Mr. Holroyd returned to Providence, ac-
cepting a position on the Journal Nov. 3.
Mr. Holroyd collected the ship news for
the Journal, using a boat for that pur-
pose, and also put it into type. It was,
in those days, one of the most important
departments of the paper. He became an
expert in the business, following the news
of the Providence vessels in their voy-
ages from port to port, changes in owner-
ship and commanders, and could, without
referring to other authority, tell all there
was to say about them. In 1867 he gave
up the collecting part and took the ship
news cases on the Press, holding them
until 1881, when he retired. On that
occasion his associates in the office pre-
sented to him a gold-headed cane, suitably
engraved, Mr. George O. Willard, then
city editor of the Press, making the pres-
entation speech. He was initiated into
Providence Union April 11, 1868. He is
buried in North End Cemetery.
EDWARD C. HOOPES — Born West
Chester, Pa. ; learned printing trade on
the Daily Local News, beginning Nov. 22,
1879. Since then he has been manager
and editor of a newspaper at Downington,
Pa., and in the JOD printing business for
10 years. He is an accomplished musi-
cian, having been director of a theatre
orchestra for 15 years. He came to Provi-
dence March 10, 1903, working on the
Telegram and Journal ; now proofreader
on the Tribune.
GEORGE HAROLD HOPE — Born Provi-
dence July 8, 1878 ; learned printing in
this city at Eagle Printing Co., beginning
in 1893 ; initiated into Providence Union
Oct. 29, 1899 ; worked on Evening Tele-
gram ; "my father and grandfather before
me served their time at the printing busi-
ness." At present treasurer of the Star
Printing Co. in Providence.
GEORGE W. HOPE— Born Halifax,
N. S., Oct. 9, 1854; learned printing in
office of Mercury at New Bedford, Mass.,
beginning in 1872 ; worked in Providence
since 1875 ; now manager of Star Printing
Co., Westminster street, near Hoyle build-
ing.
CHARLES H. HOPKINS — Born New
Haven Nov. 30, 1858 ; died Providence
Jan. 28, 1904. He came of a family of
printers ; father, uncles and brothers were
all expert at the trade. He learned print-
ing in New York city, but removed to
Manchester, N. H., before he was 20. In
1881 he was foreman of the Woonsocket
Reporter, and again from 1884 to 1891.
In 1883 and from 1891 to 1900 he was
employed in the composing room of the
Providence Journal, holding the position
of assistant foreman of the Evening Bul-
letin for a number of years. From 1900
to the summer of 1903 he was in business
with his brother, Frank E.. at Jamaica,
N. Y., printing books. For a few months
before his death he was employed on the
Evening Telegram. He joined Providence
Union by card Dec. 28, 1890. He was a
first-class workman and his character was
very nearly perfect.
JOHN P. HORAN — Became prominent
in the affairs of Providence Union in
1884 and was elected President in 1885
and 1886. In 1885 he was one of the five
arbitrators to whom was referred the dis-
pute between the Journal and the Union.
He left this city in February, 1887, for
Ireland, and is reported to have died
shortly after in England. While in this
city he was employed on the Telegram.
THOMAS L. HORAN — Learned print-
ing in the office of the Norwich (Conn.)
Advertiser, beginning about 1870 ; admit-
ted to Providence Union by card in 1873 ;
initiated April 8, 1883 ; Vice President in
1887 ; worked in the offices of the Jour-
nal, Star and Telegram ; now proofreader
on the Boston Advertiser.
FREDERICK A. HORTON — Died Provi-
dence May 22. 1894, aged 21 years, 6
months and 23 days. He was initiated
XLIV
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
into Providence Typographical Union
March 26, 1893, and worked at Brownell's
bookbindery. At that time bookbinders
were eligible to membership in the Union.
JOHN J. HORTON — Born Westerly,
R. I., April 13, 1874; learned printing in
the office of the Westerly Daily Tribune,
commencing July 16, 1888; came to Provi-
dence Sept. 1, 1890, locating first at What
Cheer Print, and became a member of
the Typographical Union May 29, 1892;
has served since on the following commit-
tees of that body : Joint standing on
Telegram agreement; executive, 1901-
1903 ; on city printing, 1901-1902 ; on
scale, 1901-1902 ; joint conference on nine-
hour day, 1900 ; committee of thirty,
1900 ; on souvenir committee, 1904-1907.
Mr. Horton represented the Union in the
Allied Printing Trades' Council in 1902-
1903, and was secretary-treasurer of that
body. He has worked in various localities
between Boston and Chicago and has held
about 45 situations. He claims the dis-
tinction of being "the only printer who
paid full fare for every mile he has trav-
elled." Now employed on Evening Bul-
letin.
OLIVER JUDSON HOUCK — Learned
printing with Reynolds & Co., Albany,
N. Y. ; he worked in Springfield, Mass. ;
initiated into Providence Union at the
December meeting, 1897.
JOHN STANLEY HOULE — Born Lan-
caster, Ontario, Canada, Aug. 25, 1861 ;
learned printing in Montreal, beginning in
1876; initiated into Manchester (N. H.)
Union June, 1904 ; admitted to Providence
Union by card April 30, 1905 ; participated
in the effort for the eight-hour day in
1906 ; prepared the issues of the "Union
Man's Reference Book ;" in New York
city in 1907.
WILLIAM H. HOVEY — Died Norwich,
Conn., March 5, 1899. He had been toast-
master at the 32d anniversary banquet
given by Norwich Union during the eve-
ning and was in the corridor of the
Wauregan Hotel, preparing to go home,
when he was stricken at 2 A. M. The
cause of death was cerebral apoplexy.
Mr. Hovey was born in Morrisville, N. Y.,
in 1842 ; began to learn printing in the
office of the Madison Observer, leaving in
two years and continuing at the trade as
a "two-thirder" for a short time. He
settled in Norwich, Conn., in 1864, and
worked in that city until his death, ex-
cepting a short time when he worked on
the Providence Evening Press. He was
foreman of the Norwich Bulletin more
than 26 years; was a charter member of
No. 100, organized in 1867, and had held
every office in its gift. He represented
that Union in the I. T. U. conventions of
'69, '77, '81, '82 and '90. He was a promi-
nent Mason and that order had charge of
the services at his funeral.
FRANK C. HOWARD — Born Boston,
Mass., Feb. 4, 1881 ; learned printing in
the Mercury office, New Bedford, begin-
ning in 1896 ; admitted to Providence
Union by card Oct. 26, 1902 ; at present
employed on the Tribune.
JASON T. HOWARD — Died Providence
April 29, 1891 ; he was initiated into
Providence Union Jan. 31, 1886 ; worked
at Whittemore & Colburn's.
GEORGE S. HOWE — Died New York
city ; he probably came from Troy, N. Y. ;
was a member of Albany Union in 1864 ;
admitted to Providence Union by card
Dec. 10, 1870 ; worked many years in
New York city. When George Arensburg
first came to the New York Times from
Pittsburg and was the fastest compositor
in the country, Howe christened him "The
Velocipede."
AUSTIN C. HOWELL— Born Hope,
Warren county, N. J., Jan. 12, 1850 ;
learned printing trade in Pittsburg, Pa.,
beginning in 1866 ; worked in Providence
1871-'74, '77 .to '92; at present (1904)
farming in Hampton, Windham county,
Conn., part of the year and the balance
of the year printing in New York city.
ERNEST A. HOWSE — Born Bridge-
town, Nova Scotia, 1876; learned printing
in office of Weekly Monitor of that town ;
worked in office of Library Bureau, Bos-
ton, several years, where he learned to
operate the monotype ; initiated into
Providence Union Aug. 30, 1903.
FRANK M. HOYT — Born Binghamton,
N. Y., in 1850; learned printing in that
city on the Reporter, beginning in 1865 ;
worked in Providence on the Herald in
1872 and again in 1885 ; admitted to
Providence Union January, 1885.
CHARLES B. HUBBARD — Learned
printing on Evening Press, Providence ;
went whaling on the "Talisman" from
New Bedford after serving his appren-
ticeship ; initiated into Providence Union
Feb. 27, 1884 ; worked in Springfield, Mass.
ALONZO B. HUDSON — Died Kansas
City, Mo., March 20, 1904 ; born Salem,
O., and learned printing in his father's
office ; admitted to Providence Union by
card October, 1888; for the last six or
eight years prior to his death he was
associated with an elder brother in the
conduct of the Kansas City Bill Post-
ing Co.
FRANK J. HUESTON — Born New York
city Aug. 28, 1857; died there March 20,
1905 ; learned printing in Utica, N. Y.,
in office of the Herald, beginning in 1872 ;
admitted by card to Providence Union at
the April meeting, 1886.
FREDERICK T. HUGHES ("Gedger")
— Died Seton Hospital, New York city,
June 23, 1904, and was buried in the
Union plot at Mount Hope Cemetery ; his
card was deposited in Providence Union
at the June meeting, 1886 ; he had been
a member of New York Union for a num-
ber of years previous to his death.
THE JOURNEYMEN
XLV
MAURICE E. HUGHES — Born Johns-
ton, Queens county, N. B., Feb. 13, 1856;
learned printing in News office, St. John,
N. B., where he served a five years' ap-
prenticeship ; worked in St. John three
years after completing his apprenticeship
and then went to Boston, where he
worked for Rockwell & Churchill, Rand
& Avery and the Boston Stereotype
Foundry. In Cambridge he joined the
Union and worked at the Riverside Press
and University Press. He came to Provi-
dence in 1884, where he worked in the
office of the Journal 14 years and was one
of the first to learn the linotype ; has
worked for Snow & Farnham five years ;
participated in the effort for the eight-
hour day in 1906 ; now copyholder on
Journal ; admitted to Providence Union by
card Nov. 12, 1884 ; delegate to Toronto
I. T. U. convention, 1905.
WILLIAM H. HUGHES — Born East
Greenwich May 6, 1861 ; learned printing
in that town ; worked in Providence in
1886 for Press Co. ; initiated into Provi-
dence Union Feb. 26, 1893.
JOSEPH F. HUNOLD — Born College
Point, Long Island, N. Y., March 15, 1870 ;
learned machinist trade at Flushing Iron
Works, beginning in 1887 ; worked in
Providence from 1900 as linotype machin-
ist on the Telegram and Tribune until
1906, when he removed to Seattle, Wash.
ROBERT F. HUNT — Born Cumberland,
R. I., July 9, 1874 ; began to learn print-
ing in the Gazette and Chronicle office,
Pawtucket, Feb. 13, 1890, where he con-
tinued ten years ; from there he went to
New York city, where he worked three
years and learned the linotype, and then
came to this city ; participated in the
eight-hour strike of 1906 ; now with the
News-Democrat.
DENNIS A. HURLEY — Born Provi-
dence May 28, 1886 ; learned printing with
Remington Printing Co., beginning in
1902 ; participated in the effort for eight-
hour day in January, 1906, and joined
Providence Union ; now employed on Eve-
ning Bulletin.
FLORENCE THOMAS HURLEY — Born
Providence Dec. 31, 1864 ; learned print-
ing in Press Co. job department, begin-
ning in 1880; initiated into Providence
Union Sept. 29, 1901.
JOHN E. HURLEY — Born Providence
June 22, 1866; learned printing at R. I.
Printing Co. ; initiated into Providence
Union Oct. 25, 1885 ; worked several years
on Journal ; member of firm of Remington
Printing Co. and has been connected with
that concern since its start.
MICHAEL J. HURLEY — Died Lynch-
burg, Va., in 1896; learned printing in
Lynchburg ; worked at the business in this
city In 1883-'84.
JOHN C. HURLL — Born Boston, Mass.,
July 17, 1854 ; learned printing in that
city at Rand & Avery's ; worked in Provi-
dence from November, 1884, to Sept. 6,
1889, about three months on the Star and
the balance of the time on the Journal ;
admitted to No. 33 by card in December,
1884; President of the Union in 1887.
Since leaving this city Mr. Kuril has re-
sided in Boston and is at present proof-
reader on the Post.
GEORGE H. HUSTON — Born Whitby,
Ont, Sept. 28, 1862 ; learned printing in
office of Whitby Chronicle, beginning in
1877 ; after travelling extensively in the
United States settled in Providence in
1884, depositing card in No. 33 at the
November meeting that year ; employed
continuously in Journal composing room
in the meantime ; has operated a linotype
since the introduction of the machines.
THOMAS HYNES ("Skinny") — Died
San Francisco, Cal., Sept. 17, 1896, aged
50 years, and is buried in the plot of San
Francisco Typographical Union, No. 21, in
Laurel Hill Cemetery ; he was admitted
by card to Providence Union Oct. 12, 1872.
Initiated Into Providence Typographical
Union on Dates Named :
CHARLES E. HALL, Nov. 25, 1888 ; by
card December, 1888, and October, 1889.
FRED S. HALL, April 29, 1888.
FREDERICK W. HALL, March 25, 1900.
ROBERT HALLIDAY, April 5, 1888
(pressman). Reported dead.
L. A. HANLON, March 30, 1902.
WILLIAM D. HARRINGTON, July 12,
1873.
J. FRANK HASKELL, Dec. 29, 1889
(stereotyper).
JAMES HATLOW, Dec. 27, 1896.
ALFRED G. HEAD, Nov. 10, 1866.
EDGAR L. HEATH, Dec. 26, 1883.
CHARLES J. HICKS, before April 18,
1857.
SYLVESTER B. HILTON, March 27,
1892.
JOHN H. HUDSON, Dec. 26, 1883.
MARTIN G. HUMMELL, July 27, 1890.
W. W. HURLBUT, Feb. 28, 1897.
HENRY HUTTON, May 28, 1893.
THOMAS F. HOPEWELL, Nov. 14,
1868. Died April, 1873.
HARLEY F. HOPKINS, May 13, 1871.
C. HOWRIGAN, Feb. 24, 1901.
Admitted by Card on Dates Named :
W. E. A. HAGAN, August, 1886.
FRED G. HALL, April, 1886.
J. R. HALLER, April, 1887. (Reported
dead.)
JOHN F. HALLORAN, Nov. 27, 1892.
JOSEPH P. HAMILTON, April, 1888.
His address in 1905 was McCondice P. O.,
Charles county, Maryland.
W. E. HAMILTON, March, 1888.
F. E. HANCOCK, January, 1889.
JOHN HANLEY, June 25, 1884 ; March,
1886.
XL VI
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
W. F. HANNA, Oct. 25, 1891.
MR. HARDING, from Boston, Dec. 14,
1872.
R. J. HARDING, January, 1889.
JAMES T. HARRIS, June, 1888; De-
cember, 1888.
M. C. HARRIS, from Louisville, Ky.,
Oct. 12, 1867.
WILLIAM A. HARRIS, May 31, 1903.
J. T. HARRISON, May, 1885.
THOMAS HARRISON, March 30, 1902.
M. F. HART, Nov. 14, 1868.
PRESERVED B. M. HASKINS, from
Boston, Aug. 13, 1864.
J. H. HASLAM, April 23, 1892.
ARTHUR HASSARD, July, 1888.
W. L. HAYNES, May, 1888.
W. H. HEANEY, June 26, 1904.
C. E. HENDERSON, August, 1888.
R. P. HENDERSON, 1877, and with-
drew card same year.
HARRY HETT, May 27, 1883. (Re-
ported died in Jersey City.)
JAMES C. HICKEY, November, 1883.
JOHN HICKEY, from New York, July
11, 1868.
THOMAS HICKEY, November, 1884.
O. G. HICKS, October, 1886.
A. T. HILBRUN, June 25, 1884.
WILLIAM F. HILLS, Jan. 25, 1903.
SAMUEL G. HOLDREDGE, May, 1888.
LOUIS K. HOLLAND, from Woon-
socket, Sept. 24, 1905.
THOMAS J. S. HOPKINS, April 25,
1897.
T. HOPMANS, Dec. 27, 1885.
JOSEPH E. HOWE, November, 1886;
Feb. 26, 1893.
OTIS HO YE, Feb. 26, 1899.
J. M. HUDSON, March 11, 1871.
ANDY HUGHES. Sept. 30, 1883.
EDWARD HULING, June 29, 1890.
FRANK W. HULME, Feb. 25, 1900.
A. W. HUNT, Aug. 10, 1872.
R. B. HUNT, June 8, 1872.
RICHARD HUNTER, March 30, 1902.
ALFRED S. HUTCHINSON, from Mon-
treal April 13, 1872.
Names from Providence Directory :
RICHARD HADFIELD — 1859.
CHARLES C. HASWELL — 1836; re-
moved to New York.
FRANCIS P. HEALEY — 1855.
JAMES HELME — 1828 worked at 12
Market square; 1838 at Courier office;
1841 clerk at 41 Arcade.
JOHN D. HENRY — 1850.
P. G. HEWIT — 1844.
GEORGE HOPEWELL — Foreman Ham-
mond, Angell & Co.
GEORGE H. HOPKINS — 1836.
Printers Known to Have Worked Here :
A. B. HART — In partnership with C.
W. Littell.
ROBERT HUGHES — 1853-'55 at Jour-
nal office.
JOHN B. INGRAHAM— Name in Direc-
tory of 1841 ; charter member Providence
Union in 1857; enlisted Aug. 1, 1861, in
2d R. I. Inf., Co. D, and served three
years ; returned to printing after Civil
War.
SAMUEL INSLEE — Was sent to Provi-
dence from New York in 1766 by William
Goddard to assist Mrs. Sarah Goddard in
publishing the Gazette. Inslee soon re-
turned to New York and in 1770 formed
a partnership with Anthony Carr to con-
tinue the publication of The New York
Gazette and Post Boy after James Par-
ker's death. Inslee was afterward em-
ployed by Collins of Trenton, N. J., and
died suddenly in his printing house.
EARNEST IRONS — Born St. Johns,
N. B., June 28, 1871 ; in that city, in 1886,
he started to learn printing; in 1887 came
to Providence and finished his apprentice-
ship on the Telegram ; joined Providence
Union Nov. 27, 1892 ; has worked in this
city at Snow & Farnham's, Remington's,
E. A. Johnson's, J. C. Hall's, the Journal
of Commerce and at E. L. Freeman's in
Central Falls ; now employed on News-
Democrat.
SAMUEL S. IRVING — Born New York
city in 1849 ; learned printing on the New
York Mercury ; admitted to Providence
Union by card at the January meeting,
1889 ; worked on the Telegram and Jour-
nal ; also "worked in every State and
Territory in the United States."
GEORGE W. JARSE — Admitted to
Providence Union July 12, 1873 ; worked
on Journal ; I. T. U. delegate from Detroit
in 1877 ; in 1906, during the eight-hour
strike, loaned Chicago Union $3000 with-
out security ; at present proofreader on
Chicago Tribune.
PERCY MONROE JAQUES — Born Ben-
nington, Vt., Feb. 15, 1883 ; learned print-
ing with Fox & Saunders, Providence,
beginning July 12, 1898; initiated into No.
33 June 28, 1903 ; participated in the effort
for the eight-hour day in 1906.
HORACE JEFFERS — Born Pawtucket,
R. I., July 23, 1866; learned printing in
office of E. L. Freeman & Sons, Central
Falls, beginning in 1880 ; worked in Provi-
dence at Snow & Farnham's, Livermore &
Knight Co., J. C. Hall Co., Foster H.
Townsend, Evening Telegram and Sun-
day Dispatch ; initiated into No. 33 Feb. 26,
1888 ; located in Springfield, Mass., in 1904.
W. A. JEFFERS — Born Lynn, Mass.,
Dec. 9, 1851; learned printing in Provi-
dence in the Journal job office, beginning
in 1866; worked in Providence until 1869 ;
located in Leavenworth, Kas., in 1905.
THOMAS E. JENNINGS — Died Provi-
dence October, 1869 ; at the time of the
fire in the Evening Press office, Dec. 31,
1868, he was the only printer who was
rendered unconscious by the smoke and
had to be carried out of the building ; he
was initiated into Providence Union May
8, 1869.
THE JOURNEYMEN
XL VII
CHARLES B. JEUDEVINE — Initiated
into Providence Union July 9, 1870; he
was a noted "tourist."
CHARLES E. JILLSON — Born Hart-
ford, Conn., July 8, 1840 ; learned printing
in office of the Times of that city, begin-
ning in 1855 ; came to Rhode Island in
1876 ; worked at E. L. Freeman's eight
years and in various offices in Provi-
dence ; initiated into No. 33 April 22,
1883 ; now retired from the business. In
the Civil War Mr. Jillson went out with
the 1st Conn. Inf. and re-enlisted in the
1st Conn. Battery.
WILLIAM H. JILLSON— Born North
Attleboro, Mass., in 1871 ; died Black
Mountain, N. C., March 28, 1905, where he
had resided for the benefit of his health.
He learned printing at Attleboro, Mass.,
beginning in 1888; initiated into Provi-
dence Union Feb. 28, 1892, and worked in
this city at Remington Printing Co.
WILLIAM J. JOLLEY — Born Wigan,
England, Jan. 14, 1863 ; learned printing
on the Wigan Examiner, beginning" in
1876; admitted to Providence Union at
the June meeting, 1887 ; worked on the
Journal until September, 1889 ; "was par-
tial inventor and manipulator-in-chief of
the 'rotary' board in the Journal office ;
am now (1904) practicing a rotation of
crops — raising wheat, oats and potatoes
during spring and summer ; raising the
wind in the fall and a crop of whiskers
during the winter," at Edgemere, near
Spokane, Wash.
JENNIE JONAS — Applied for admis-
sion in Waterbury (Conn.) Union March,
1901 ; she was then 40 years of age, and
had been working at printing since 1881,
having learned on the Meriden Journal ;
she had worked in Providence, Springfield
and Hartford, and was then employed on
the Waterbury American.
CORNELIUS S. JONES (son of Josiah
Jones) — Born Providence in 1812. It was
said that "he was born to the newspaper
business," and to it devoted all the active
years of his life. He published a penny
daily in this city in the early years of
such enterprises, but was chiefly known
as the publisher of the General Adver-
tiser, with which he was connected for
nearly 25 years. He died June 29, 1877,
aged 65 years.
FRANK E. JONES— Initiated into Provi-
dence Union Jan. 31, 1886. He came to
this city from England, where he had
learned printing. He has been a proof-
reader and telegraph editor on the Jour-
nal and now holds the latter position on
the Tribune.
JOSIAH JONES — Born Providence in
1782 ; learned printing with John Carter,
Jr. ; in 1807, in partnership with Bennett
H. Wheeler, he bought the Phenix, a
weekly newspaper, and retained his con-
nection with that paper until 1832. "Capt.
Jones, as he was familiarly called, was
a practical printer during his whole life.
When the infirmities of age incapacitated
him from continuous labor he would still
turn his steps to the printing office of
his son, where it was a matter of pride
with him -to take occasionally his stand at
the case and show that the old man of
80 years had not forgotten how to handle
the 'stick' and 'types.' " He died March
23, 1868, at the residence of his son-in-
law, Joseph Knowles, in his 84th year.
LLEWELLYN T. JONES — Born Wrex-
ham, county of Denbighshire, North
Wales ; apprenticed May 1, 1870, to the
Wrexham Advertiser ; admitted to Provi-
dence Union at the September meeting,
1887 ; worked on the Telegram, Dispatch
and at Reid's ; employed on the Courier-
Citizen, Lowell, Mass., in 1904.
WILLIAM H. JONES — Died in Provi-
dence Oct. 12, 1867 ; he was initiated inta
Providence Union Oct. 13, 1866.
WILLIAM LEFURGE JONES — Born-
New York city Sept. 24, 1850 ; learned"
printing with Methodist Book Concern,
beginning in 1864 ; initiated into New-
York Union in 1871 ; worked in Provi-
dence 1882-'84.
FREDERICK T. JOYCE — Born Dor-
chester, Mass., Jan. 25, 1878; learned
printing at office of Buker Publishing Co. ',
has worked at offices of J. A. & R. A,
Reid and Journal of Commerce ; now em-
ployed at Rumford Chemical Works.
CHARLES T. JUDSON — Born Geneva,
N. Y., Sept. 8, 1858; learned printing at
Seaford, Del. ; came to Providence in
1884 and initiated into No. 33 May 31,
1885 ; went to Pawtucket for a while, but
came back to Providence in 1890; partici-
pated in the effort for the eight-hour day
in 1906.
Initiated Into Providence Typographical
Union on Dates Named :
GEORGE W. JOHNS, Feb. 24, 1901.
C. P. JOHNSON, March 27, 1887.
GEORGE C. JONES, June 11, 1864.
HARVEY E. JONES, Oct. 25, 1891.
Admitted by Card on Dates Named :
WILLIAM J. JARVIS, from New York,
May 28, 1893 ; worked on Journal.
ALEX. M. JOHNSON, May 27, 1883.
HENRY W. JOHNSON, Sept. 9, 1871.
JAMES J. JONES, from Boston, April
8, 1883.
JOHN JOYCE, March 27, 1884. Re-
ported dead.
IRVING JUDD, August, 1886.
Names from Providence Directory :
GEORGE C. JENCKES — 1844 at Jour-
nal.
JOHN JESSE — 1850 at 29 Market
square.
XL VIII
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
GEORGE W. JOHNSON — 1852-'54
worked at Journal office.
GEORGE JUDD — 1838 at 15 Market
square.
ADONIRAM JUDSON REACH — Born
Hoosac, N. Y., in 1830 ; received his
education at the academy in that place ;
some years after leaving school, with his
brother Abram, he published the Lowell
Sun; in Waterbury, Conn., he edited a
paper for a few years ; in 1870 he entered
the employ of the Providence Journal as
proofreader, which position he held at the
time of his death, April 29, 1903, although
he had not been able to attend to his
duties since the previous January. He
was admitted to Providence Union by
Chicago card July 11, 1868.
ALBERT J. KEACH — Died Provi-
dence July 30, 1889, in his 35th year; he
began to learn printing in his father's
(A. J. Keach) office in Waterbury, Conn.,
but served a regular apprenticeship on
the Providence Journal ; he was initiated
into Providence Union Jan. 11, 1873;
worked in New York, Worcester, Spring-
field and Boston, and was assistant fore-
man of the Boston Advertiser at the time
of death. His funeral was attended by
representatives from that office, the Bos-
ton Franklin Society and the Providence
Journal.
JOHN E. KEEFE — Born Providence
Jan. 15, 1876; learned printing in office
of Whittemore & Colburn, beginning in
1890; initiated into No. 33 Oct. 25, 1903;
employed at Franklin Press.
JOHN P. KEENAN — Born Pawtucket
Feb. 25, 1876 ; learned printing in offices
of Pawtucket Tribune and Times ; worked
in Providence at E. A. Johnson's and on
the Evening Bulletin ; became member of
No. 33 April 30, 1899 ; has charge of the
advertising department in the composing
room of Evening Bulletin.
PHILIP E. KELLER — Died New York
city March 1, 1904, aged 42 years. He
was admitted to Providence Union by
card October, 1887.
HERBERT CLINTON KELLS — Died
Providence Dec. 28, 1904, aged 42 years,
10 months and 24 days ; he was born in
Hudson, N. Y., but removed to Pittsfield,
Mass., in 1875, where he began to study
music and learn printing ; he played in all
the bands of note in and about Pittsfield ;
he removed to this city in 1902 and was
admitted by card to Providence Union
Sept. 28 of that year; subsequently he
withdrew and became a member of the
Pressmen's Union ; he was also a mem-
ber of the Musicians' Union and of the
Royal Arcanum ; he was buried in Pitts-
field.
FRANCIS E. KELLY — Born Whitefield,
Me., in 1839 ; began to learn printing in
office of Woonsocket Patriot in 1851 ;
came to Providence in 1856 and worked
on Journal, Post and Tribune ; enlisted
June 5, 1861, in 2d R. I. Inf. and served
until May, 1862, in Co. D, holding rank of
corporal ; participated in the battles of
Bull Run and Williamsburg and siege of
Yorktown ; was stricken with fever and
ague and compelled to visit California in
search of health, remaining there until
1869. After his return from the Pacific
coast he was employed on the newspapers
in this city until 1873, when he accepted
the foremanship of the Woonsocket Re-
porter and has remained in that city
since. Mr. Kelly has been active in poli-
tics in Woonsocket and has held many
important offices. In 1906 he was elected
to the Legislature, receiving the nomina-
tion from organized labor and the Demo-
crats, and votes enough from Republi-
cans to win. In the Legislature he served
on the committees on labor and accounts,
and was among those who voted for Col.
Goddard for U. S. Senator from the first
ballot to the close of the session and
never missed a roll call. Mr. Kelly was
a charter member of Providence Union
in 1857 and Vice President in 1858 and
1859. He is President of Woonsocket
Union in 1907.
PATRICK HENRY KELLY— Born Mai-
den, Mass., June 12, 1851 ; learned print-
ing at Lynn, Mass. ; worked in Providence
in 1876.
WILLIAM F. KENEFICK — Born Law-
rence, Mass., Aug. 30, 1854 ; learned print-
ing on the Lawrence Sentinel, beginning
in 1872 ; held cases on Boston Globe and
Herald, three years foreman of Boston
Courier and seven years foreman of Bos-
ton News Bureau; in 1886 initialed into
Boston Typographical Union ; he was
business manager of Providence Visitor
for several years until 1904, when he
resigned and returned to Boston.
ROBERT T. KENNETH — Born West-
erly, R. I,, in 1854 ; learned printing on
the Narragansett Weekly, beginning in
1868; worked in Providence on the Jour-
nal 1875-1880; now employed on Water-
bury (Conn.) American.
FRANK KILLDUFF — Born Pittsburg,
Pa., May 4, 1876 ; learned trade in that
city, beginning in 1890 ; admitted to Provi-
dence Union at October meeting, 1904 ;
worked in most of the important cities of
the country.
HENRY KING (printer), son of Capt.
John King — Died Providence Jan. 24, 1824,
in his 24th year. The funeral was from
his mother's residence, near the Rev.
Mr. Wilson's Meeting House. — Rhode Is-
land American, Jan. 24. 1824.
AUGUSTUS B. KINGSLEY — Died Pom-
fret, Conn., March 22, 1823 ; he had been
an apprentice in the office of the Provi-
dence Patriot, but had been away from
that office since the previous 1st of Janu-
ary on a visit to his relatives, during
which visit he had taken sick and died.
THE JOURNEYMEN
XLIX
ERNST F. KLAUSCH — Born Germany
July 10, 1857; learned the trade of
machinist in that country ; came to Provi-
dence in 1891 to care for the linotype
machines at night in the Journal office,
where he is at present employed ; he was
initiated into Providence Typographical
Union Aug. 26, 1900.
OSCAR KLEBART — Born Webster,
Mass., March 6, 1867 ; learned printing in
Webster, beginning in 1886 ; initiated into
Providence Union Oct. 30, 1892 ; worked
in this city 1891-1899, when he was com-
pelled to leave the business because of
ill-health ; appointed regular letter carrier
in Webster July 15, 1901, and has since
recovered his health ; is civil service ex-
aminer in the Webster district and also
secretary of Branch 831, National Asso-
ciation of Letter Carriers.
ROBERT KNIGHT — Born 1882 ;Jearned
printing on Staten Island Times, begin-
ning in 1898; worked in New York city ;
initiated into Providence Union Oct. 27,
1901.
JAMES D. KNOWLES — Was foreman
of the American office about 1819, and
partner with William G. Goddard from
July 6, 1819, to Oct. 6, 1820, in the publi-
cation of that paper.
JOHN POWER KNOWLES — Died
Providence Aug. 3, 1887, in his 80th year;
he began to learn printing when 11 years
old in the office of Hugh H. Brown ; be-
fore reaching his majority he engaged
with a senior partner in the business and
continued until 1830, when he began to
study for the law ; he graduated from
Brown University in 1836 and from Har-
vard Law School in 1838, and the latter
year was admitted to the Rhode Island
bar ; he was in active sympathy with
Thomas W. Dorr in the agitation of 1841-
'43 ; he was reporter of decisions of the
Supreme Court of Rhode Island from 1855
to 1857, and from 1865 to 1867; represen-
tative from Providence in the General
Assembly in 1855 and 1856; city solicitor
of Providence in 1866 and 1867 ; appointed
by the President, Judge of the District
Court of the United States for the Dis-
trict of Rhode Island in October, 1869,
and held that position until March, 1881,
when he resigned.
JOSEPH KNOWLES — Born Niantic, in
the town of Westerly, R. I., July 3, 1810.
He was educated in the common schools
of his native place and at the academy
at Kingston. He was apprenticed to Wil-
liam Storer, the publisher of a news-
paper at Stonington, Conn., with whom
lie remained two years, but the paper
was not successful, and the indentures
were cancelled. He removed to Provi-
dence in 1832, where he entered into the
.service of Josiah Jones, publisher of the
Providence Patriot and Columbian Phenix.
Mr. Knowles engage:! in several printing
enterprises in Providence. With the late
James S. Ham he purchased The Micro-
cosm, which was continued about one
year. He published also the Commercial
Advertiser for a short time and the Liter-
ary Journal. In 1838 Mr. Knowles and
William L. Burroughs purchased the Provi-
dence Journal, with which business he
was connected 36 years. He died in
Providence Dec. 21, 1874.
CHARLES LEONARD KOJAN — Born
New York city Aug. 11, 1861; learned
printing in office of John Polhemus in
that city, beginning in 1875 ; worked in
Providence in 1885 ; employed on the New
York Journal in 1907.
JOHN A. KOPP — Born Providence in
February, 1862 ; learned printing in office
of Journal, beginning in 1882 ; admitted
to Providence Union by card July 1, 1883 ;
worked in Providence on the Journal until
1892, when he went to the Boston Jour-
nal, remaining there until Hearst's Ameri-
can was started, where he is now em-
ployed as a linotype operator.
MARCUS KOPPLEMANN — Born Odes-
sa, Russia, Nov. 22, 1873 ; learned print-
ing at Athol, Mass. ; worked in Providence
on the Telegram in 1892 ; located in Hart-
ford, Conn., in 1904.
MAX KRIEDEL — Born in 1865; he
learned printing in Germany ; was initi-
ated into Providence Union April 30, 1899.
Initiated Into Providence Typographical
Union on Dates Named :
FRANK KAY, March 28, 1886; Presi-
dent Atlantic City Union in 1901 ; finan-
cial secretary in 1906.
JAMES KELLY, Nov. 24, 1895.
CHARLES H. KING, Feb. 27, 1884 ;
located in New York city.
Admitted by Card on Dates Named :
E. S. KAHN, July 10, 1888 (stereo-
typer. )
J. D. KAVANAGH, June, 1886.
JOSEPH KEARNS, September, 1888.
J. T. KEISER, March 31, 1901.
MILTON KELLEY, May 31, 1903.
C. J. KELLY, August, 1886.
EDWARD J. KELLY, May 29, 1898;
also Jan. 29, 1893.
JOHN KELLY, Sept. 10, 1870 ; also May
28, 1899. (May be different persons.)
S. T. KELLY, Jan. 29, 1893.
HENRY KENNEY, June, 1888.
H. T. KENNY, June 24, 1900.
WILLIAM KINSMAN, December, 1884.
CHARLES E. KIRK, October, 1886.
J. F. KITSON, May 31, 1891.
Names from Providence Directory :
C. D. KENYON — 1891-'92 on Telegram.
J. W. H. KILTON— 1856 at 24 West-
minster street; 1857 clerk Commercial
Steamboat Co.
WILLIAM KNOWLES — 1841 at Jour-
nal office; 1844 at Whipple building; 1847
attorney.
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
RICHARD E. LACY — Born Providence
Oct. 28, 1875 ; learned printing at Ryder
& Dearth's, beginning in 1892 ; initiated
into Providence Union March 25, 1900 ;
worked at Snow & Farnham's and J. C.
Hall Co. ; now employed on Evening
Bulletin.
HENRY B. LADD — Born Providence
Feb. 16, 1841. At the beginning of his
apprenticeship in 1857 he was rechris-
tened "Pica" by N. Bangs Williams, and
the name has clung to him in printing
circles ever since. For several years he
was in charge of the news department
of the Morning Herald, and on its sus-
pension in 1873 entered the employ of
the Journal Co. as telegraph editor, which
position he retained for 30 years. He
was initiated into Providence Union April
13, 1867, and was granted an honorable
withdrawal card at the March (1904)
meeting.
GEORGE LA FA YE — Was a composi-
tor on the Journal in 1850. He went to
New York city and became a master
printer there. The Turf, Field and Farm,
Police Gazette, Sunday Democrat and
other periodicals were .printed in his
office. He died in that city.
JOHN J. LAFFEY, JR. — Born Nov. 8,
1884, at No. 174 Harold street, Provi-
dence ; learned printing in the office of
the Journal, beginning Sept. 16, 1900;
initiated into Providence Typographical
Union Nov. 27, 1904 ; now employed on
Tribune.
THOMAS E. LAHEY — Born Mystic,
Conn., Oct. 9, 1861 ; learned printing in
that town, in the Press office ; initiated
into New Haven Union in 1883; worked
in Providence in 1884, '85 and '88, on the
Telegram, Journal, at E. A. Johnson's
and at the Marion Printing Co. ; admit-
ted to Providence Union by card Sept.
24, 1884; located in the Westerly Sun
office since 1889.
JOHN M. LA VIS — Born London, Eng-
land, June 6, 1851 ; learned printing in
office of Rand & Avery, Boston, begin-
ning in 1868 ; admitted to Providence
Union by card March 14, 1874 ; visited
this city again in 1884 ; delegate from
Boston Union in 1892 to the I. T. U.
convention at Philadelphia, Pa. ; was
instrumental in unionizing the Boston
Traveler in 1890 (the office had been
non-union since 1864) ; has been a mem-
ber of "Big 6" of New York city ; at
present resident of Boston.
GEORGE P. LAWRENCE — Died West
Barrington, R. I., Dec. 9, 1873. He was
a member of Providence Union, having
been admitted that year ; also of Prescott
Post, G. A. R. ; served as corporal in
Co. .C, 4th R. I. Inf., in Civil war, Sept.
9, 1861, to March, 1863 ; wounded at
battle of Newberne, N. C.
ROSCOE N. LAWTON — Born Natick,
R. I., Jan. 14, 1859 ; learned printing in
office of Pawtuxet Valley Gleaner at
Phenix, beginning March 29, 1876, on the
secon^ issue of that paper ; worked in
Providence on Journal and Bulletin for
13 years, beginning in November, 1886 ;
initiated into Providence Union Feb. 27,
1887 ; was foreman of Providence News
for a short time in 1889 ; at present
owner and manager of the East Avenue
Bakery, Natick, R. I.
FRANKLIN A. LEACH — Born Bethel,
Me., June 29, 1878 ; learned printing in
the office of the Bethel News ; initiated
into Providence Union Aug. 30, 1903 ;
has worked in Springfield, Mass., on the
Homestead ; employed on the Pawtuxet
Valley Gleaner in 1904.
ROYAL B. LEACH — Born Middleboro,
Vt., Jan. 31, 1843 ; learned printing on
the Register in that town ; first came to
Providence in 1865; initiated into No. 33
April 10, 1869; worked in almost every
office in this city ; now a travelling sales-
man.
WILLIAM M. LEAVITT — Born Leba-
non, N. H., in 1853 ; learned printing in
that town, beginning in 1870; initiated
into Providence Union at the first meet-
ing of the reorganized Union April 8,
1883; I. T. U. delegate in 1888; worked
here on the Journal 1877-1890; at pres-
ent employed in Government Printing
Office at Washington, D. C.
MICHAEL W. LEDDY — Born Cork,
Ireland, Oct. 3, 1880; learned printing
in Pawtucket Times office 1896-1900;
worked on Woonsocket Sun, Pawtucket
Tribune and at Hough Printing Co.;
joined Pawtucket Union in 1900; admit-
ted to Providence Union by card June,
1906 ; now employed on Evening Bulletin.
CHARLES H. LEE — Born Scranton,
Pa. ; learned printing trade in Boston,
Mass., with Sparrel Print ; came to Provi-
dence in 1894 ; initiated into Providence
Union March 31, 1901 ; conducted the
eight-hour strike, 1906-'07 ; delegate to
N. E. Allied Printing Trades' convention,
1906 ; delegate to Central Trades' and
Labor Union, 1907.
GEORGE W. LEE — Born Conway,
Mass., Sept. 13, 1880; learned printing
on Providence Telegram, beginning in
1896; initiated into No. 33 Feb. 24, 1901;
went to Boston in 1904 ; now employed
on Boston Herald.
E. P. LEGNARD — Born 1875 ; learned
printing at Rouse's Point, N. Y. ; elected
to membership in Providence Union May
29, 1898; at the October meeting initia-
tion fee was ordered returned, as Mr.
Legnard had left the business.
JOSEPH E. LEMIRE — Born St. Ger-
main, Canada, July 14, 1881 ; learned
printing on Worcester Gazette, beginning
THE JOURNEYMEN
LI
in 1900 ; worked in Boston, Worcester
and Montreal ; admitted by card to Provi-
dence Union at February meeting, 1906 ;
now linotype operator on Pawtucket Times.
JOHN P. LENAHAN — Born Provi-
dence, R. I., March 25, 1880; learned
trade on Providence Journal, beginning
in 1903 ; initiated into Providence Union
May, 1906 ; employed on copy desk of
Journal.
JOHN F. LENNON — Born Pawtucket,
R. I., Nov. 29, 1875 ; learned printing
trade in the offices of the Providence
Journal and Pawtucket Times ; worked
in Providence in the years 1889-1900;
now employed on Tribune.
PETER F. LEONARD — Born Albany,
N. Y., Feb. 28, 1866 ; began to learn
printing in 1879 on Albany Express; ini-
tiated into Albany Union in 1883 ; ad-
mitted to Providence Union by card June,
1887 ; worked here about one year on
Evening Telegram.
CARL, W. LEUFGREN — Born Stock-
holme, Sweden, in 1871 ; learned printing
in Chicago and Providence ; worked in
this city, 1889 to fall of 1893, at Reid's,
Johnson's, Wilson's and Evening Tele-
gram : in the last office had his "first
experience at newspaper work, and also
learned the linotype machine there ;"
initiated into No. 33 December, 1892 ;
in 1896 subbed on the Journal ; now
located in New York city.
JOSEPH B. LEVENS — Began to learn
printing in Fall River in 1868, coming to
Providence in 1871, at the expiration of
his apprenticeship ; in this city he worked
on the Press, and later on the Journal ;
for a time he was telegraph editor on
the latter paper. He was initiated into
Providence Union June 10, 1871, and was
financial secretary in 1878, when the
charter was surrendered ; again initi-
ated June 27, 1886 ; went to Boston in
1891; now employed on the Transcript.
HERCULES LEVEQUE — Born Woon-
socket, R. I., Nov. 4, 1867 ; learned print-
ing in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on the Times,
beginning Aug. 28, 1883 ; admitted by
card to Providence Union Oct. 30, 1892,
when he worked on the Philanthrope, a
French paper, and again May 30, 1897,
when he worked on the News ; member
of the printing firm of Church & Le-
veque at 18 Rose street, New York city,
in 1904.
ANDREW J. LEWIS — Died at the
Union Printers' Home in Colorado
Springs, Colo., April 3, 1901, aged 52
years ; he was initiated into Providence
Union Nov. 9, 1873 ; worked on the Star
and Journal, and afterward was fore-
man of the Pawtucket Times.
WILLIAM LEWIS — Born St. John,
N. B., July 26, 1860 ; learned the print-
ing trade with Barnes & Co. in that city.
beginning in 1874 ; worked in Boston,
Lynn, Haverhill, Salem, Lawrence, Lowell
and Marlboro in Massachusetts until 1885,
when he came to Providence and entered
the Journal office ; learned to run a lino-
type on the introduction of the machines.
Mr. Lewis is a noted checker player and
for many years edited the checker col-
umn of the Providence Sunday Journal ;
now located in New Bedford, Mass.
WILLIAM D. LILLY — Born Hope,
R. I., Nov. 28, 1867 ; learned printing in
the office of the Rumford Chemical
Works, where he is now employed.
JOHN B. LINCOLN — Died Providence,
R. I., Aug. 8, 1874, in his 55th year. His
name appears in the Providence Direc-
tory of 1847 as a printer; in 1852 he
started the Kent County Atlas, the first
newspaper printed in that county ; he
was a charter member of Providence
Union in 1857. In the Civil war he
served as 1st sergeant in Co. D, 2d R. I.
Vols., from June 5, 1861, to Jan. 8, 1862.
WILLIAM P. LINN— Born Providence
May 1, 1887 ; learned trade of machine
tender with Snow & Farnham ; joined
effort for eight-hour day October, 1906 ;
now located in Providence.
KARL LISKER — Born Medziboz, Pad,
Russia, Oct. 26, 1884 ; learned printing at
J. C. Hall's, beginning in 1901 ; initiated
into Providence Union Sept. 24, 1905 ;
participated in the effort for eight-hour
day in 1906.
FRANK LIVINGSTON— Born Worces-
ter, Mass., Nov. 18, 1883 ; learned printing
at Franklin Press, beginning in 1898 ; ini-
tiated into Providence Union June 30,
1901 ; participated in the effort for the
eight-hour day in 1906.
JOHN J. LIVINGSTON— Born Worces-
ter May 19, 1881 ; learned trade at
Thompson & Thompson's, beginning in
1904 ; participated in the effort for the
eight-hour day.
WALTER I. LOCKE — Born Providence
Feb. 7, 1875 ; learned printing in a job
office on Mathewson street, beginning in
1894 ; was head pressman for the Alber-
type Co. when located at 80 East George
street ; admitted to I. T. U. at Tucson,
Ariz., in 1905.
JOHN LOCKHART — Born Glasgow,
Scotland, in 1832; learned printing in
Glasgow, beginning in 1847 ; admitted to
Providence Union by Troy card March
9, 1872 ; at Union Printers' Home, Colo-
rado, in 1905.
JOHN J. LOCKLIN— Born Lancashire.
England, Feb. 8, 1854 ; learned printing
at Journal job office, beginning in 1869 ;
initiated into Providence Union July 13,
1872 ; worked on Evening Press and in
Journal office ; now employed at latter
office.
LII
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
JOHN F. LONSDALE — Born Port Hu-
ron, Ontario, Can., June 3, 1844 ; served
a four years' apprenticeship on the Port
Hope Guide, beginning Nov. 2, 1858; ini-
tiated into Providence Union May 21,
1864 ; worked in this city on the Evening
Press until the spring of 1869, except
about one year spent in New York city ;
was "the last person to come down the
chain" on the occasion of the fire, Dec.
31, 1868; employed at American Press
Association, New York city, in 1905.
JABEZ LORD — Died New York city
Nov. 26, 1883 ; he was a charter member
of Providence Union in 1857, President
in 1858, delegate to the national conven-
tion at Boston in 1859, Vice President
in 1863 and secretary in 1860 and 1863;
President of Columbia Typographical
Union, No. 101, of Washington, D. C., in
1870 ; member of No. 6 at time of death.
ED. PHINNEY LOTHROP— Born Barn-
stable, Mass., April 30, 1836 ; learned
printing in office of Yarmouth (Mass.)
Register, beginning in 1855 ; served in
both army and navy in the Civil war,
after which he returned to printing in
1866; worked on Pawtusket Gazette and
Chronicle, Central Falls Weekly Visitor,
Providence Evening Press, Pawtucket
Gazette and Chronicle and at E. L. Free-
man & Sons, in the order named ; initi-
ated into Providence Union Dec. 12, 1868;
charter member of Pawtucket Union ; at
present proofreader at E. L. Freeman &
Sons. Mr. Lothrop has succeeded in
"compiling a voluminous volume (unpub-
lished) containing a summary — statisti-
cal and otherwise — of some of the opera-
tions of the Army of the Potomac dur-
ing the Civil war, with personal expe-
riences." He has also contributed articles
for the press, among which are "Recol-
lections of Cape Cod in Boyhood," "Seven
Historic Days — Army of the Potomac,"
"Only a Memory Now," "A Cruise on
U. S. Frigate Sabine During Civil War,"
"The Nation's Dead," etc., etc.
WALTER W. LUDLOW — Born Penn
Yan, N. Y., Feb. 26, 1856; learned print-
ing there, beginning in March, 1871 ; ad-
mitted to Providence Union May 28,
1884 ; foreman Evening Telegram for
about four months in 1884 ; now chief
clerk of the U. S. Treasury Department
at Washington, D. C.
CHARLES J. LUNDERGAN — Died
suddenly while on a visit to his mother
in East Cambridge, Mass., Sept. 8, 1904.
He was a member of New York Herald
chapel at the time of death, having
worked there since leaving Providence
the previous May. His funeral was one
of the largest ever seen in his native
town. Mr. Lundergan was born in Cam-
bridge Aug. 1. 1876; learned printing in
the office of the Boston Journal ; admit-
ted to Providence Union by card at the
May meeting, 1904.
WILLIAM A. LUTHER— Born Swan-
sea, Mass., June 18, 1844 ; learned print-
ing in the offices of the Warren Gazette
and Fall River News, beginning in 1858;
when 17 years old he enlisted in the 2d
R. I. Inf. and served in Co. G during:
the Civil war ; initiated into Providence
Union March 14, 1868; worked on New
York World in 1869 and later was a
policeman in the metropolis ; returned to
Providence in 1873 and has worked in
this city since until incapacitated.
WINFIELD V. LUTHER — Member of
Providence Union in 1877 ; worked at
Press book room ; now in the employ of
the Providence Gas Co.
JOHN J. LYNCH — Born Montreal.
Canada, Aug. 31, 1857 ; learned printing
in the office of the Irish World, begin-
ning in 1870, when it was published in
Brooklyn, N. Y. ; returning to Montreal,
Mr. Lynch was initiated into No. 176 and
worked on the Montreal Gazette and
other newspapers of that city ; visited
Providence in 1877 ; deposited his card
in New York Union Aug. 8, 1878, and
has been an honored member of "Big
Six" since that date.
CHARLES LYONS — Learned printing
in St. Catherines, Canada ; was admitted
to Providence Union by card July 13,
1872 ; worked on the Morning Herald
and later on the Morning Star ; went
from here to Chicago; he died either in
that city or at his home in St. Cather-
ines in the 80's.
JAMES P. LYONS — Born Providence
July 22, 1873; learned printing at Wliit-
temore & Colburn's, beginning in 1888;
worked in Pawtucket and Woonsocket ;
initiated into Providence Union May 29,
1892; participated in the effort for the
eight-hour day in 1906 ; now employed on
the News-Democrat.
Initiated Into Providence Typographical
Union on Dates Named :
GODFREY LABELLE, Dec. 12, 1868.
EUGENE N. LANCASTER, April 15,
1883.
EUGENE R. LATHROP. July 11, 1868.
Now employed on Boston Journal.
JOHN P. LENNIS, December, 1892.
WILLIAM P. LIVESEY, March 14, 1868.
ALBERT LOCKWOOD, July 9, 1859.
ALBERT LYON, Feb. 27, 1887. (Stereo-
typer.)
WILLIAM LYON, Feb. 27, 1887 ;' by
card January, 1889. (Stereotyper.)
Admitted by Card on Dates Named :
JOHN LAIRD, July 25, 1897.
BYRON LANE, November, 1886.
ERNEST LANE, Feb. 22, 1885.
GEORGE W. LANGE, June 29, 1890.
W. F. LANGWILL, June, 1889.
H. F. LEE, November, 1905.
WALTER A. LEE, January, 1885.
EDWARD J. LENNON, March 25, 1906.
THE JOURNEYMEN
LIII
GEORGE F. LEONARD, May 27, 1883.
EDWARD LESLIE, February, 1886.
CHARLES LETT, June 8, 1872.
BERTRAM C. LORING, March 27, 1904.
W. G. LOY, March 27, 1884.
HENRY P. LYNCH, November, 1884.
Names from Providence Directory :
GARDINER LILLIBRIDGE — 1824
worked over 5 Market square.
CHARLES H. LORD — 1838.
Printers Known to Have Worked Here :
WILLIAM G. LARNED — Publisher of
Morning Courier, began June 6, 1836;
sold to Journal Jan. 29, 1841.
ORLANDO LE BARRON — Before 1874.
HENRY LEIS — 1855 worked at 24
Westminster street; 1857 at Journal
office ; member of Providence Union be-
fore 1865.
WILLIAM A. LEONARD — 1857 char-
ter member; worked at 101 Westminster
street ; member in 1'865.
CHARLES W. LITTELL — Member
Providence Union in 1877 ; now in busi-
ness at 333 Westminster street.
WILLIAM K. LOGEE— Name in 1870
constitution ; honorary member Provi-
dence Union in 1877.
VICTOR LOOMIS — 1873 and at other
times ; one of the old-time swifts.
CHARLES LOOP — Card rejected by
Providence Union Jan. 14, 1871.
CLEM LUCAS — Worked at R. I. Print-
ing Co. Reported in Raleigh, N. C., in
April (1907) Typographical Journal.
KENNETH MacCASKELL — Died Bos-
ton, Mass., May 30, 1899 ; member of
Cambridge Typographical Union at time
of death ; had worked on most of the
Boston newspapers ; his name appears on
the list (1857-1865) of members of Provi-
dence Union taken from the 1865 consti-
tution.
JOHN A. MACDONALD — Began to
learn printing in the office of the St.
Catherines (Onatrio) Post in April, 1861 ;
in 1862 he enlisted in the Union Army
and fought in the ranks of Hooker's
Division, Army of the Potomac, until the
end of the war ; after the war he went
back to the "case," joining Buffalo Typo-
graphical Union in 1866; he worked on
the Providence Journal in 1873 and again
in 1878 ; previous to 1880 he worked in
nearly every city of prominence in the
Western, Middle and Eastern States; in
1880 he purchased a newspaper at Am-
pion, Ontario, and published it for 15
years ; he is now in the insurance busi-
ness in Toronto, Canada.
WILLIAM J. MACDONALD — Born
Clinton, Mass., where he also learned
the trade of printer; came to Providence
in November, 1903, and worked on the
Telegram.
JOHN DOUGLAS MACDOUGAL — Was
employed in the printing house of John
Waterman, the paper manufacturer of
Providence, previous to 1775. He also
worked in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1775, and
before that year. In the Providence
Gazette of June 7 and Aug. 16, 1778,
Macdougal advertised his business of
publisher, bookbinder and stationer. Later
he was in business in Boston, Mass., in
the firm of Macdougal & Greene, opposite
the Province House, and still later in
partnership with John Boyle. He was
a native of Ireland and died in New-
York city in August, 1787.
JOHN W. MACKARCHER — Initiated
into Providence Union Dec. 26, 1883 ; he
worked in this city a few years and went
West in 1884. "While riding on a freight
train he fell between the cars and in
addition to having both legs cut off was
otherwise severely crushed. This oc-
curred at Tulore, Cal. He was taken to
Visalia, Cal., where he died the follow-
ing day." The accident occurred in the
spring of 1887.
THOMAS- MURRAY MACKAY — Born
Edinburgh, Scotland, May 25, 1870 ; learned
the printing trade in that city ; has
worked in New York city, Boston, Nor-
wood and Providence.
GEORGE F. MACKINNON — Learned
printing in the job office of Marcus B.
Young, this city. In 1871 A. S. Rey-
nolds, who had purchased the business of
Young the previous year, gave the plant
to his son, M. M. Reynolds, and young
Mackinnon. Peter J. Trumpler entered
the firm in 1873, and a profitable busi-
ness was carried on until 1878, when the
partnership was dissolved and the plant
removed to East Greenwich. Mackinnon
then became a reporter on the Journal.
In 1897 Mackinnon, with Charles H. How-
land and Martin C. Day, left the Journal
and became publishers of the News.
Afterward Mackinnon became clerk of
the Sixth District Court, which position
he now holds.
SAMUEL R. MACREADY — Born Cum-
berland county, Me., July 14, 1850 ;
learned printing trade in office of Alfred
Mudge & Son, Boston ; worked in Provi-
dence since 1892 ; member executive com-
mittee of No. 33 in 1907, and also dele-
gate to Central Labor Union ; now em-
ployed in proofroom of Journal.
FRANK C. MADDEN — Born Montreal,
Canada, Nov. 14, 1853 ; began to learn
the printing trade in the office of A.
Crawford Greene, this city, in 1866 ; be-
came a member of Providence Typo-
graphical Union July 13, 1872 ; has
worked in the offices of the Press Co. and
the News; at present (1907) he is located
at Wm. R. Brown's ; in 1868 he became
connected with the National Band, and
later with the American Band ; from 1901
to 1904 was leader of the Pawtucket
Band. Mr. Madden was instrumental in
organizing Musicians' Union, Local 196.
LIV
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
JOSEPH A. MADDEN — Born Mount
Holly, N. J., where he learned printing ;
worked in Providence inspecting the
Thorne typesetting machines on the
News ; located in Hartford, Conn., in 1904.
JOHN F. MAGUIRE — Born Providence
Feb. 19, 1882 ; learned printing in office
of News, beginning in 1897 ; initiated into
Providence Union Jan. 28, 1903 ; now
employed on Tribune.
DANIEL S. MAHONEY — Born London,
England, May 3, 1861 ; learned trade of
pressman in the office of the Providence
Journal, beginning in 1878, where he,
worked until 1906 ; admitted to No. 33
April 29, 1888 ; now employed on Tribune.
FRANK J. MAHONEY — Born Provi-
dence March 4, 1875 ; learned printing on
Journal, beginning June 29, 1894, and
worked in that office until Sept. 2, 1902 ;
initiated into No. 33 Sept. 30, 1900 ; held
situations on the Bulletin and Tribune of
this city, the Post and Herald of Boston
and the Taunton Herald-News ; worked
on Pawtucket Times and Boston Journal,
Advertiser, Traveler and American ; now
employed on Evening Tribune ; delegate
to R. I. State Federation of Labor, 1907.
JOHN W. MAHONEY — Born Provi-
dence April 9, 1872 ; learned printing at
J. A. & R. A. Reid's, beginning May 10,
1888 ; initiated into Providence Union Feb.
24, 1901 ; worked with Albertype Co., J.
C. Hall Co. and Telegram ; now employed
on Evening Bulletin.
AUSTIN E. MALONE — Initiated into
Providence Union April 26, 1896; learned
printing on Telegram ; worked in Newport
on the Herald and in this city on Journal ;
elected I. T. U. delegate in 1900 to Mil-
waukee convention, but did not attend ;
now located in New York city.
WILLIAM J. MALONEY — Born Troy,
N. Y., Dec. 11, 1876; learned printing in
office of Troy Catholic Weekly ; worked
in Providence on the Telegram from 1900
to 1904 ; initiated into Providence Union
Feb. 24, 1901 ; now on Boston Herald.
D. J. MANN — Born Needham, Mass. ;
learned printing at Cambridge, Mass. ;
worked in Providence at Reid's in the
winter of 1884 ; located in Baltimore, Md.,
in 1905.
FRED A. MANSON — Died Providence
Feb. 21, 1897, aged 32 years, 11 months
and 21 days; came to Providence from
Lawrence, Mass., where he had learned
printing on the American ; admitted to
Providence Union by card October, 1888 ;
worked on Evening Bulletin and News.
Two months before his death an uncle
left him a fortune, the interest of which
would have supported him in leisure.
WILLIAM METCALF MANN — Died
Smithfield, R. I., March 2, 1817. From
October, 1813, until his death he was in-
terested in the publication of the Rhode
Island American.
CHARLES MANSHELL — Born Skala,
Austria, in January, 1879 ; learned print-
ing in Providence, beginning in 1890; ini-
tiated into Providence Union- June 28,
1903 ; now proprietor Sun Printing Co.,
198 Pine street.
PHILIP A. MARKS — Born England;
died Feb. 7, 1876, at 127 Orms street,
Providence ; his name appears in the
Directory of 1844 ; he was foreman of the
Morning Mirror from 1849 to 1855, and
its publisher the latter year; in 1856 he
was a real estate broker; May 21, 1864,
he was initiated into Providence Union.
JAMES MARRYOTT — Died Newport,
R. I., in August, 1818, aged 62 years. He
was a printer and had worked in Provi-
dence, according to the Gazette of Aug.
22, 1818.
EDWARD P. MARSH — Died Providence
July 27. 1841 ; aged 26 years. His name
appears in the Directory of that year. He
came from Newport, R. I.
JOHN MARSHALL — Born Lewiston,
Me., Sept. 29, 1855 ; learned printing in
that city, beginning in 1872; worked in
Providence in 1885 ; employed on the City
Record, New York, in 1904.
WILLIAM MARSHALL — Died Phila-
delphia, Pa., Oct. 23, 1841, aged 36 years.
Between the years 1828 and 1836 he had
been a printer in Providence. After he
removed to Philadelphia he carried on the
publishing business in that city.
ANDREW P. MARTIN — Born Lubec,
Me., March 10, 1852 ; learned printing at
Hammond & Angell's, Providence, and
worked at the business in this city six
years; founded Providence Visitor in 1875
and was its publisher 2^ years; also
proprietor job office (Martin & Merriam)
one year ; honorary member Providence
Union ; now member Providence police
department.
JAMES J. MARTIN — Born New York
city in 1866 ; learned printing in Louis-
ville, Ky., beginning in 1884 ; admitted
by card to Providence Union at the June
meeting, 1889 ; was one of the first
machine operators who visited this city
and worked on the Journal ; delegate
from Louisville, Ky., to I. T. U. conven-
tion at Colorado Springs in 1896 ; em-
ployed on the Louisville Courier-Journal
in 1904.
MICHAEL B. MARTIN — Born Provi-
dence Nov. 21, 1857 ; learned printing in
office of J. F. Greene Co., beginning in
1869 ; initiated into Providence Union June
24, 1888 ; President of Providence Union
in 1891 and 1892 ; went to Boston in 1893,
where he assisted in organizing the Press-
men's Union and Allied Printing Trades'
Council ; employed by C. H. Buck & Co.,
Boston, in 1904.
THE JOURNEYMEN
LV
WILLIAM H. MARTIN (a) — Died
Providence June 26, 1863. He was em-
ployed at the Journal office in 1845-1849 ;
on the Post in 1850-1855, and in 1856 was
janitor at 56 Broad street for Y. M. C. A.
WILLIAM H. MARTIN (b) — Born
Bristol, R. I., Jan. 18, 1856; learned
printing in the office of the Phoenix, be-
ginning in 1872 ; worked in Providence in
the 70's on the Sun, Journal, Star and
Press and at Hammond, Angell & Co.'s ;
editor and proprietor of the Warren Ga-
zette for many years until his death,
which occurred at Warren, Sept. 20. 1906.
PETER HENRY MASSIE — Born St.
John, N. B., Jan. 1, 1836 ; learned print-
ing with Robert Sherman in the Paw-
tucket Gazette and Chronicle office, be-
ginning in 1851 ; was a charter member
of Providence Typographical Union in
1857 ; worked in this city on the Journal,
Post and Herald ; withdrew from printing
and name placed on honorary list Sept.
12, 1863; Aug. 12, 1865, Chicago Union
was authorized to furnish him with a
card. Mr. Massie was in business in Chi-
cago 1865-1871, and was burned out in
the big fire of 1871, losing all; he died in
Boston Oct. 4, 1896 ; was a member of
Boston Typographical Union at time of
death.
THOMAS J. MASTERSON — Admitted
to Providence Union by card July 31,
"1892. He learned the printing trade in
office of Portsmouth (N. H.) Times.
JAMES H. MATHEWS — Born New
York city in 1860 ; learned printing in
Westerly, R. I. ; foreman of Westerly
Daily Tribune for eight years, the only
Prohibition daily newspaper in the United
States at that time ; initiated into Provi-
dence Union June 28. 1885. and has
worked in this city more or less since ;
member of the firm of J. H. & T. J.
Mathews, master printers.
THOMAS J. MATHEWS — Born New
York city in 1862 ; learned printing- in
Providence with J. H. Mathews, begin-
ning in 1888; initiated into Providence
Union Aug. 26, 1894; worked in this city
since 1888 ; now member of the firm of
J. H. & T. J. Mathews, master printers.
ALBERT MATHEWSON — Born War-
wick, R. I., Sept. 29, 1832 ; died Newport,
R. I., Dec. 31, 1880. He learned printing
with Cranston & Norman (Newport Daily
News) ; was initiated into Providence
Union Aug. 14, 1869 ; worked in New
York in the offices of the Atlas, Tribune,
American Tract Society and Martin B.
Brown ; on the Argus in Brooklyn, and in
Boston, Springfield, Taunton, Fall River,
and the last two years of his life in
Newport on the News ; buried in Fall
River, Mass.
EATON W. MAXCY — Died Providence
Aug. 13, 1861, in his 62d year; learned
the printing trade in the Patriot office
with Jones & Wheeler; Oct. 16, 1823, in
partnership with Barnum Field, he pub-
lished the Independent Inquirer. In 1826
Mr. Maxcy published the Literary Mu-
seum at 10 North Main street. In 1830
he conducted a circulating library ; 1832
to 1836 a jewelry store; 1838 agent
Providence Screw Co.
WILLIAM B. MAXFIELD — Died March
13, 1879, aged 54 years. His name first
appears in the Directory as a printer in
1844 ; initiated into Providence Union
August, 1858.
JOHN S. MAXWELL — Born St. John,
N. B., in August, 1855 ; learned printing
trade in that city ; was admitted to Provi-
dence Union by card Feb. 22, 1885 ; worked
on the Star in this city and in the princi-
pal cities of New England ; was killed in
a railroad accident in northern New York
in 1896.
JOSEPH N. B. MEEGAN — Died Provi-
dence Nov. 9, 1895, in his 40th year;
learned printing at A. Crawford Greene's
and on the Evening Press ; initiated into
Providence Union April 8, 1883 ; I. T. U.
delegate to Buffalo convention in 1887 ;
was assistant foreman of the Evening
Telegram. He was active in city politics
and was clerk of the Tenth Ward for 13
years ; brother of William J. Meegan.
WILLIAM J. MEEGAN — Born North
Providence June 1, 1864 ; learned trade in
office of Morning Star, beginning Septem-
ber, 1881 ; worked in Providence on Star,
Press, Item, Republican, Dispatch, Tele-
gram, The People, Record, News, Journal
and Bulletin ; in Boston on Globe and
Post ; on Somerville Journal and Paw-
tuxet Valley Gleaner ; at present em-
ployed as foreman of Providence Morning
Tribune ; became member Providence
Union Nov. 26, 1884, and officiated as
President 1896-'97-'98 ; elected delegate to
I. T. U. 1896 (Colorado Springs) and 1904
(St. Louis) ; elected chairman Journal
chapel April, 1903-'04, being the first to
fill that office after a vacancy of about
30 years ; was appointed Deputy Sheriff
June, 1887, and was appointed during that
year a member of the State police for the
enforcement of the Prohibitory laws.
ANTOINE MEILLUERE — Born Dec. 18,
1848, at Sault-au-Recollet, He de Mon-
treal ; he learned printing in Montreal,
beginning in 1863 ; deposited a card in
Providence Union March 11, 1871 ; worked
in this city on the Journal and other
papers ; I. T. U. delegate from Worces-
ter Union to Buffalo convention in 1887.
He died in New York city Dec. 3, 1906,
and is buried in Mount Hope Cemetery.
ROBERT S. MENAMIN — Born Newton-
Stewart, county Tyrone, Ireland, Dec. 2,
1833. He came to this country with his
parents when he was about three years of
age, and settled in Washington, D. C. At
school in that city he had for one of his
teachers Mrs. E. D. E. N. Southworth,
LVI
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
the famous novelist. His parents re-
moved to Philadelphia, where he was ap-
prenticed to the printing trade with T. K.
& P. G. Collins of that city. To be an
apprentice in a city office in those days
meant long hours, hard work and small
pay, and Robert became dissatisfied with
his lot and emigrated to New York with-
out saying the customary farewell to his
employers. There he developed into a
journeyman. In 1854 he worked on the
Cincinnati Enquirer, and in the winters
of 1855, '56 and '57 in New Orleans and
Baton Rouge, La. In 1858 he returned
to New York city, where he was a mem-
ber of both No. 6 and the New York
Typographical Society. In 1865 he re-
moved to Philadelphia and established a
printers' warehouse, which was success-
ful from the start. In 1866 he issued
"The Printers' Circular" as an organ for
the craft, and at the session of the Na-
tional Union in 1867 the "Circular" was
made its official organ, which honor it
held for some years. In 1866 Mr. Mena-
min was elected a delegate from Provi-
dence (R. I.) Typographical Union, No.
33, to the 14th session of the National
Union, that met in Chicago in June of
that year. His services in that body were
so acceptable to No. 33 that on Jan. 1,
1867, its members presented him a
massive gold ring. He again, in 1868,
represented Providence Union as delegate
to the National convention at Washington.
Mr. Menamin died in Philadelphia April
19, 1887. He was a member of the fol-
lowing societies : Melita Lodge, No. 295,
F. and A. M. ; Jerusalem R. A. Chapter,
No. 3 ; Philadelphia Commandery, No. 2 ;
Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Free-
masonry ; West Philadelphia Lodge, No.
9, K. of B. ; Philadelphia Typographical
Society ; Hibernian Society ; Quaker City
Lodge, No. 116, A. O. U. W. ; Lycurgus
Senate, No. 1, Order of Sparta ; Pennsyl-
vania Editorial Association ; Franklin In-
stitute ; Book Trade Association of Phila-
delphia ; Journalists' Club ; Sylus Club ;
Northwestern Masonic Aid Association,
Chicago. His son, Will S. Menamin, is
president and general manager of Guten-
berg Machine Co., Chicago, 111.
ANITA METIVIER — Born Victoriaville,
Quebec. Jan. 15, 1884 ; began to learn
printing in Waterville, Quebec, in 1902 ;
worked at Remington's in this city ; initi-
ated into Providence Union July, 1906.
ALBION N. MERCHANT — Born Law-
rence, N. Y., June 28, 1843; died Provi-
dence May 15, 1884 ; began to learn the
printer's trade in Canton, N. Y., receiving
for his first year's work $40 and board.
In the Civil war he served in the 47th
Regt., N. Y. V. After the war he estab-
lished a printing business in Chateaugay,
N. Y. Later he removed to Burlington.
Vt., where he published the Democrat and
Sentinel. June 14, 1879, he began the
publication of The Rhode Island Democrat
in this city, which he continued until his
death. Mr. Merchant was a member of
the Masonic, Odd Fellow and G. A. R. fra-
ternities, and of the United Train of Artil-
lery and Providence Press Club.
LUCIEN MERCIER — Born St. Johns,
Canada, P. Q. ; learned printing trade at
A. Crawford Greene's, Providence, begin-
ning in 1884 ; initiated into Providence
Union Nov. 24, 1895 ; located in Central
Falls in 1904.
GEORGE MERRILL — Assistant editor
Providence Journal in 1873 ; foreman
1874-'77.
DAVID B. METCALF — Born West
Point, Ky., Oct. 26, 1851 ; learned printing
at Decatur, 111., beginning in 1868; worked
in Providence in 1903 at Franklin Press
and Standard Printing Co. ; located in
Chicago in 1907.
WILLIAM MILL — Born Edinburgh, Scot-
land, in 1848; learned printing in Chi-
cago, beginning in 1862 ; worked in Provi-
dence in 1862 ; in Chicago in 1904.
SAMUEL M. MILLARD — Born in 1810 ;
was one of the publishers of the Provi-
dence Daily Sentinel in 1846-'47 and after-
ward was connected with the job printing
establishments of Knowles, Anthony &
SAMUEL M. MILLARD.
Co.. Millard & Harker and S. M. Millard
& Co. He ended his work as a compositor
in the Journal composing room, dying at
the age of 71 years, June 29, 1881.
HELEN F. MILLER — Born Moosup.
Conn., Oct. 2, 1881 ; began to learn print-
ing in office of Journal and Press, Moosup.
in 1900 ; worked in Providence at E. A.
Johnson & Co. ; initiated into Providence
Union Aug. 13, 1906.
THE JOURNEYMEN
LVII
JAMES A. MILLER — Born Bristol, R. I.,
June 1, 1827 ; began to learn printing in
Providence in the office of the Daily Eve-
ning Chronicle, of which J. M. Church
was editor. From 1847 to 1851 he was
employed on sailing packets. In the latter
year Mr. Miller returned to the printing
business. His brother, W. J. Miller, was
then one of the owners of the Post, and
he remained with that paper until 1866,
when he went into the grocery business
at Bristol, where he is now a member of
the firm of James A. Miller & Son.
Clement Webster, George W. Danielson,
Samuel Millard and Mr. Miller were part-
ners in the publication of the Daily Sen-
tinel in 1846 ; the paper had a brief ex-
istence. Mr. Miller was initiated into
Providence Union June 13, 1863, and was
an honorary member in 1878.
JOHN MILLER — Died New York city
on Sunday, Oct. 15, 1848, after long suf-
fering, from dropsy. He conducted a
printing office in Providence before 1813,
when he was interested in the publica-
tion of the American. In January, 1820,
in partnership with John Hutchens, Mr.
Miller began the publication of the Manu-
facturers and Farmers Journal. He relin-
quished his interest in the paper in 1835,
when he removed to Philadelphia, and
later to New York city. His obituary in
the Journal said : "John Miller never had
an enemy. All the kindly virtues were
in him most harmoniously mingled and
blended ; and amid all the sharp encoun-
ters of business and all the asperities of
politics, the community saw only the un-
affected urbanity of the gentleman, the
unostentatious and unfailing generosity of
the man." His funeral took place Oct. 17
from No. 29 Broadway, and "many of his
old friends, those who knew him in his
prosperity, came to pay the last tribute of
respect to one who is remembered only
with kindness."
WILLIAM JONES MILLER — Born Bris-
tol Jan. 19, 1818. His grandfather, Nel-
son Miller, was at the battle of Bunker
Hill. Young Miller attended the Bristol
schools and at the age of 15 began an
apprenticeship in the office of the Bristol
Gazette, leaving at the end of one year.
In 1836 he was working at the case in the
office of the Providence Journal and for a
time was foreman of the composing room.
In 1842, during the Dorr excitement, the
firm of Low & Miller, of which he was a
member, published the Providence Daily
Express and also the weekly New Age.
These papers stopped in 1843 and he
printed for other parties the Providence
Gazette and Chronicle. In 1845 he was
collector of customs for Bristol and War-
ren, then an important position. With
Welcome B. Sayles in 1850 he started the
Providence Daily Post, retaining connec-
tion with the paper until after the Civil
war. He was delegate to the National
Democratic conventions of 1856, '64 and
'72 ; President of the Bristol town council
in 1859, '70 and '71 ; clerk of the House
of Representatives in 1853 and '63 ; Rep-
resentative in the General Assembly in
1873 and '74, and for many years served
on the school board of Bristol. He was
connected with the Bristol Gas Works
from its organization, first as superintend-
ent and secretary and later as treasurer.
In 1874, '75 and '76 he read papers on
the Wampanoag Indians before the Rhode
Island Historical Society. These led to
the placing of a stone, marking the spot
where King Philip was shot, at the 200th
anniversary of the event. He died in
Bristol Jan. 29, 1886.
ALEXANDER OSBORN MILNE — Born
Fall River, Mass., Sept. 10, 1845 ; learned
printing on the Daily News of that city,
becoming its foreman about 1865 ; he re-
moved to Providence, working on the Eve-
ning Press, and was initiated into Provi-
dence Union April 10, 1869 ; from this city
he went to San Francisco, Cal., where he
was night foreman of the Bulletin. Later
he returned to the East, settling in Taun-
ton, where he purchased the Bristol
County Republican (weekly) and con-
ducted that paper for several years. Get-
ting tired of the publishing business, the
Republican was taken off his hands by its
former owner, Mr. William Read, and Mr.
Milne returned to the Pacific coast, where
he resides on a ranch at Elk Grove, Cal.
JOSEPH S. MILNE — Lieutenant in
R. I. Battery B ; received a fatal wound
during the battle at Gettysburg, and his
dead body has been received by his friends
in Fall River. Lieut. Milne was a printer,
who enlisted from the office of the Post
into Battery E, and arose by merit until
he received a commission as Second Lieu-
tenant and was assigned to Battery B.
A short time since, when Capt. Gushing
of the regular army desired the assistance
of another officer in his battery, Lieut.
Milne was detailed for the honorable duty,
and it was in fighting with this battery
that the gallant young fellow received
his death wound. Every officer of that
battery was either killed or wounded.
Lieut. Milne commanded the warmest
esteem of his brother officers and was
much beloved by his men. — Providence
Journal, July 16, 1863. He was a brother
of William O. Milne of Newport.
JOHN H. MILNE — Born Newport, R. I.,
February, 1843 ; died in this city Oct.
22, 1903 ; learned the printing trade in
the office of the Fall River News. About
1863 he came to this city and entered the
office of the Providence Journal as fore-
man of the night force. After holding
that position for about two years he re-
turned to Fall River and became foreman
of the Monitor of that city. In 1866 he
returned to the Journal composing room
as foreman of the day force, which posi-
tion he held about 30 years. During his
service the linotype machines were intro-
duced into the composing room.
LVIII
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
THOMAS F. MILNE — Born Fall River,
Mass., June 6, 1847; learned the trade of
pressman in the Providence Journal press
room ; went to the Evening Press and in
1876 returned to the Journal and worked
there until July 1, 1901, when he retired
from the business. He was initiated into
Providence Union June 24, 1888. Alex-
ander, John and William Milne were his
brothers. He resides in this city.
WILLIAM L. MILNE — Born Fall River,
Mass., July 31, 1849 ; learned printing in
that city on the News ; worked in Paw-
tucket for a short time after learning the
trade and on the Evening Press in this
city ; was initiated into Providence Union
Jan. 11, 1873, and again initiated into the
reorganized body June 26, 1887. He was
employed on the Evening Bulletin for
more than 20 years previous to his death,
which occurred March 16, 1901. He is
buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Fall River.
JOHN J. MINCHIN— Died Providence
Aug. 28, 1905. He was born in this city
and learned printing in the job office of
the Evening Press. For about 15 years
previous to his death he had been a
member of the John F. Greene Co.
PARK MITCHELL — Born Manchester,
N. H., Nov. 16, 1856; learned printing in
office of Manchester Union, beginning in
1873 ; first came to Providence in Novem-
ber, 1880 ; was admitted to No. 33 by card
May 27, 1883 ; worked on the Journal,
Telegram, Star, Transcript, Sunday Dis-
patch and Weekly Visitor ; employed on
the Manchester (N. H.) Union in 1904.
DANIEL E. MOONEY — Born Paw-
tucket, R. I., Sept. 14, 1873; learned print-
ing in Concord, N. H., beginning in 1888;
initiated into Concord Union in 1893, and
joined Providence Union by card Feb. 28,
1897 ; worked in this city since ; now em-
ployed on the Evening Bulletin.
JAMES MOORE — Born Providence Jan.
29, 1854 ; learned printing in office of
the Journal, beginning in 1878; was initi-
ated into Providence Union April 15, 1883,
and his name is on the 1883 charter;
worked on the Telegram and in other
offices in this city ; now employed on the
Tribune.
ANDREW F. MORAN — Learned print-
ing in the office of the Providence Jour-
nal, beginning in 1871 ; initiated into
Providence Union March 14, 1874 ; I. T.
U. delegate to Denver, Colo., in 1889 ; as-
sistant foreman of the Telegram until
the strike of 1889 ; worked in New York
on the Herald and Journal ; came back
to Providence in 1902 and was night fore-
man of Journal ; in February, 1906, he
became foreman of the Evening Tribune.
JAMES MORAN — Born in county Gal-
way, Ireland ; came to Providence in
1851 ; learned printing in office of A.
Crawford Greene ; served in Union army
from August, 1861, to January, 1865,
rising from rank of second lieutenant to
that of captain ; also held highest rank in
militia of Rhode Island, resigning in 1898 ;
employed in Custom House 1881-'85 and
1890-'94 ; in the Capitol at Washington,
D. C., 1885-'90 ; city gauger of Provi-
dence since 1895.
ALBERT E. MORRILL — Born Durham,
N. H., Sept. 13, 1857 ; learned printing in
the office of Bristol Phoenix, beginning in
1876 ; came to Providence in 1880 to work
on the Journal and remained until 1883,
when he went West for two years ; initi-
ated into Los Angeles Union in 1883, and
admitted by card into Providence Union
in September, 1885 ; night foreman Provi-
dence Journal from 1900 to 1903 ; now
assistant foreman Evening Bulletin.
HAROLD W. MORRILL (son of Albert
E. Morrill) — Born Los Angeles, Cal.,
March 8, 1884 ; learned printing in Provi-
dence Journal office, beginning in 1899 ;
initiated into Providence Union Feb. 28,
1904 ; employed on Journal in 1907.
BENJAMIN F. MORRISON — Born in
Canada in 1873 ; learned printing at Port
Huron, Mich., beginning in 1884 ; worked
in Providence in 1892 ; located in New
York in 1907.
JEREMIAH MORRISSEY — Born Ports-
mouth, N. H., May 19, 1860; learned
printing in Portsmouth Journal office, be-
ginning in 1876 ; admitted to Providence
Union by card Sept. 24, 1884, and worked
in this city on the Journal and Star ; died
in Portsmouth, N. H., July 27, 1887.
CHARLES L. MORSE — Initiated into
Providence Union May 31, 1885; in this
city he worked at What Cheer, Journal
and Star offices; in 1886 he went to Bos-
ton and worked on the Post until the
1891 lockout; he then went to Chicago,
where he was employed in 1906 on the
Chronicle.
EDWIN TAYLOR MORSE — Born Cam-
bridgeport, Mass., June 13, 1850 ; learned
printing in Worcester, Mass., beginning in
1868; joined Union there in 1874, and
was present at the meeting of Providence
Union April 8, 1883, when the reorgani-
zation was effected ; worked in this city
on the Telegram, Press, Star, Journal and
Sunday Dispatch ; in New York city on
the Press; in Hartford since 1897.
WILLIAM H. MOULTON — Born Lowell,
Mass., April 7, 1863 ; learned printing in
office of Lowell Morning Mail, beginning
in 1879 ; came to Providence in 1902, and
was initiated into No. 33 Aug. 30, 1903.
DANIEL MOWRY (3d) — Born Smith-
field, R. I. ; died Worcester, Mass., in
September, 1870, at the age of 82 years.
In the early 3'0's in this city he printed
the Daily Advertiser, the Microcosm and
the Rhode Island American.
MICHAEL MULLALLY — Born Tipper-
ary, Ireland, in 1834; learned printing in
New York city, beginning in 1848; came
THE JOURNEYMEN
LIX
to Providence in 1857 and worked in the
office of A. Crawford Greene for about
24 years as foreman; since 1881 he has
been with the What Cheer Printing Co.
LAWRENCE F. MULLEN — Born Provi-
dence ; learned printing in Evening Tele-
gram office, beginning in 1894 ; initiated
into Providence Union Feb. 24, 1901.
JAMES WRIGHT MUNROE — Born
Bristol, R. I., Aug. 21, 1821 ; died in
Providence Aug. 10, 1905. He was a car-
rier for the Morning Courier and served
an apprenticeship on that paper, begin-
ning in 1835. He left the business be-
cause of his objections to working Sun-
days. He was crier of the Appellate
Division of the Supreme Court at the
time of death, having served the State
as deputy sheriff or court crier for 40
years.
BARTHOLOMEW MURPHY — Born
Ayer, Mass., July 29, 1858 ; learned print-
ing at John H. Turner's in that city, be-
ginning in 1875 ; admitted to Providence
Union at the September meeting, 1886,
and worked here on the Dispatch and
Telegram until 1889 ; visited Providence
on the occasion of the celebration of the
50th anniversary ; located in Lowell
Mass., in 1907.
CHARLES H. MURPHY — Born Provi-
dence in 1874 ; learned printing on Eve-
ning Telegram, beginning in 1888; initi-
ated into Providence Union Dec. 31, 1893 ;
participated in the effort for the eight -
hour day in 1906 ; now located in Provi-
dence.
DENNIS J. MURPHY (a)_Born New
Bedford, Mass., Nov. 13, 1871 ; learned print-
ing in that city at Knight & Rowland's,
beginning in 1887 ; admitted to Provi-
dence Union by card Nov. 29, 1903 ;
worked at Livermore & Knight's ; in New-
port, R. I., at Milne Job Office, in 1905.
EDWARD A. MURPHY — Born Provi-
dence, R. I., Oct. 9, 1880; learned the
printing trade at Journal office, beginning
in 1898; has been a linotype operator on
the Journal since 1902.
JOHN J. MURPHY — Born Fall River,
Mass., in 1868 ; learned printing in office
of Morning-Star, Providence, beginning in
1885; initiated into No. 33 June 29, 1890;
employed in Tribune proofroom in 1907.
TIMOTHY J. MURPHY — Born Provi-
dence May 21, 1882 ; started to learn
printing in 1900 in the office of the Eve-
ning Telegram ; died April 26, 1901.
WALTER E. MURPHY — Born Fall
River June 1, 1859; died June 20, 1895;
learned printing in office of Fall River
Daily Herald, beginning in July, 1872;
worked in Boston on the Post, Herald
and Globe ; in New York on the Sun and
Tribune ; in Providence on the Press, Star
and Journal ; admitted to Providence
Union by card Nov. 28, 1883.
CHARLES H. MURRAY— Died at the
State Hospital for the Insane Oct. 26,
1903, of softening of the brain, having
been adjudged insane May 28, 1903. He
had been arrested for offering a worth-
less check for $5 in payment for 30 cents
worth of food. When searched at the
Central police station he had in his pock-
ets slips of paper on which were written
in pencil the prescribed forms for checks,
four of which had evidently been framed
with the purpose in mind of disbursing
the sum of $11,050,000. Two were of
$5,000,000 each, another was for $1,000,000
and a fourth was for $50,000. Mr. Mur-
ray was born in this city on Transit
street in 1848. He had worked for the
Providence Journal Co. for more than 30
years, first as pressman, then as composi-
tor, and later as assistant foreman of the
Evening Bulletin, which position he relin-
quished about two years before his death.
He became a member of Providence
Union Dec. 12, 1868. He is buried at the
North End Burial Ground.
FRANK H. MURRAY — Was found dead
by the side of the track of the Midland
Division of the Consolidated railroad near
Arctic Centre, R. I., June 13, 1904. He
was admitted to Providence Typographi-
cal Union by card in January, 1887, and
had worked in various printing offices in
this city.
JAMES J. MURRAY — Born South-
bridge, Mass., Feb. 11, 1859 ; learned
printing on the Southbridge Journal, be-
ginning July 10, 1877 ; came to Providence
in August, 1880, and worked in the Press
book room, at Reid's, the What Cheer,
Press and Star, Bulletin, Journal and
Telegram until 1887; initiated into Provi-
dence Union April 8, 1883 ; located on
News-Tribune, Duluth, Minn., in 1904.
JOHN E. MURRAY — Born Howard,
111. ; learned printing in Pawtucket, R. I. ;
worked in Providence in 1897 ; located in
Hartford, Conn., in 1904.
THOMAS P. MURRAY (brother of
James J. Murray) — Born Southbridge,
Mass., May 20, 1864 ; died Boston, Mass. ;
learned printing in Providence in the book
and job office of the Evening Press, be-
ginning in 1881 ; initiated into No. 33 in
January, 1887 ; worked in New York on
the Sun and in Brooklyn on the Eagle,
and later came back to Providence and
worked on the Telegram ; his last work
was in Boston.
JAMES MUSPRATT — Born New Bed-
ford, Mass., Feb. 15, 1843; learned print-
ing trade in office of Providence Journal
and worked there until the introduction
of the linotype ; since that time he has
worked on the Telegram and News in
Providence, and in Pawtucket on the
Chronicle ; was initiated into Providence
Union Feb. 28, 1886; located in Hartford,
Conn., in 1907.
JOHN MUSPRATT — Born New Bed-
ford, Mass., Sept. 11, 1841, where he also
LX
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
learned the trade of a printer ; he worked
in Providence in the years 1866, '68 and
'69, on the Press and Herald ; was initi-
ated into Providence Union Sept. 8, 1866;
now located in New Bedford, Mass. ; re-
tired from printing.
Initiated Into Providence Typographical
Union on Dates Named :
JAMES J. MAKER, May 17, 1888.
WILLIAM E. MAHONEY, May.17, 1888
JOHN A. MARCUS, Feb. 24, 1901.
CLARENCE J. MARENESS, December,
1892.
JEANNETTE M. MARTIN (Miss), May
17, 1888.
JAMES C. MEAGHER, July 25, 1886 ;
by card June, 1887.
CHARLES K. MELLVILLE, Jan. 14,
1870; worked at A. Crawford Greene's in
1863.
H. A. MERRITT, Feb. 26, 1893.
HENRY F. MILLER, Dec. 21, 1902.
JOHN T. MONAHAN, June 24, 1888
(Pawtucket).
FRED B. MOREY, May 29, 1894.
CYRUS O. MOULTON, April 30, 1893.
DENNIS J. MURPHY (b), July 26,
1885.
LAWRENCE A. MURPHY, Feb. 25,
1900. Now a comedian ; home in East
Providence.
HENRY MURRAY (b), May 29, 1887.
Admitted by Card on Dates Named :
JOHN O. MACKIN, March, 1886.
T. J. MAGUIRE, July, 1886.
WILLIAM M ALLOY, Aug. 8, 1874.
W. F. M ALONE, July, 1888.
FRED B. MANNING, April 30, 1893.
LEWIS MANNING, June 8, 1872.
J. G. MARSHALL, August, 1887.
WILLIAM J. MARSHALL, New York
card, Aug. 8, 1868.
J. P. MARTIN, Dec. 27, 1885; May,
1888.
WILLIAM MATTHEWS, Sept. 10, 1870;
May 27, 1883.
M. E. MATWIN(Mrs.) September, 1888.
PATRICK MEEHAN, April 24, 1898.
J. F. MILLARD, Sept. 27, 1891.
E. T. MILLIGAN, Sept. 30, 1883. (Re-
ported died in Omaha, Neb.)
WALTER S. MITCHELL (name in
1870 constitution).
V. R. MONTGOMERY, July 30, 1884.
JAMES MOON, July 28, 1901.
JOSEPH MOORE, Aug. 28, 1898.
SAMUEL MOORE (Rocky), July 9,
1870. At Boston, Mass.
E. A. MORAN, February, 1886.
FRED MORGAN. Oct. 14, 1871.
JOHN L. MORRIS, Oct. 25, 1903.
JOHN J. MULLEN, Feb. 7, 1904.
THOMAS E. MUMFORD, Nov. 24, 1901.
Central Falls.
DANIEL MURPHY (a), Dec. 10, 1870.
CHARLES MURRAY, January, 1887.
At New Bedford.
W. A. MURRAY, Oct. 12, 1874.
WILLIAM J. MURRAY, Sept. 28, J890.
Names from Providence Directory :
ETHELBERT A. MARSHALL — 1830
worked at 12 Market square; 1836 over
19 and 27 Market square.
WILLIAM MASTERS — 1844 worked
over 15 Market square; 1847 at Journal
office; 1850 at 15 Market square.
BENJAMIN F. MOORE — 1841 worked
at 19 Market square; 1844 at 12 South
Main street ; published Providence Al-
manac.
GEORGE H. MOORE — 1844 worked at
12 South Main street; 1847 over 15 Mar-
ket square.
JOHN F. MOORE — 1847 worked over
15 Market square.
DANIEL MURPHY (b) — 1838.
JOHN MURPHY— 1850 (Hill, Murphy
& Tillinghast) publisher of Constellation
at 15 Market square.
HENRY MURRAY (a) — 1850 worked
at 15 Market square; 1853 at 27 Ex-
change place; 1855 at 24 Westminster
street.
Printers Known to Have Worked Here :
DANIEL MAN— 1812.
HERMAN B. MAN— 1812.
JAMES MARTIN — Worked at R. I.
Printing Co. Came from Patterson, N. J.
SARAH MILLER (Mrs.)— 1891 Eve-
ning Telegram.
WILLIAM O. MILNE (brother of
Joseph) — Worked on Daily Post ; in Civil
war ; now proprietor of job office in
Newport.
JAMES MORRIS — Worked for R. I.
Printing Co.
GEORGE W. MOWRY — Afterward at
Government Printing Office.
WILLIAM A. MOWRY — Applied for
admission to Providence Union in 1862 ;
left city before application was acted
upon.
CHARLES E. McANDREWS — Born
Bristol, R. L, April 20, 1876; learned
printing in office of Whittemore & Col-
burn, beginning in 1892 ; initiated into
Pawtucket Union at February meeting,
1901 ; admitted to Providence Union by
card November, 1902 ; worked for several
years on Journal ; now employed on
Tribune.
JOHN McAULIFFE — Died Providence
Dec. 18, 1872, in the 26th year of his age ;
he had learned printing in the Journal
office and worked there until his death.
DANIEL A. McCANN — Born Newport,
R. I., where he learned printing; in the
Civil war served in the 1st and 7th Regi-
ments, R. I. Vols. ; initiated into Provi-
dence Union, Sept. 30, 1883 ; worked on
Morning Star ; now inmate of Soldiers'
Home at Bristol.
JOSEPH V. McCANN — Born Provi-
dence Dec. 22, 1863 ; learned printing in
the office of the Evening Press and has
worked in this city at various times since
THE JOURNEYMEN
LXI
1880; was initiated into Providence Union
July 31, 1887, and was Vice President in
1903 and financial secretary in 1904. Mr.
McCann has travelled extensively. In
1878 and '79 was in New Mexico, Arizona
and Colorado. He has been a member
of more than 100 Unions affiliated with
the I. T. U.
JAMES H. MCCARTHY — Born Provi-
dence Nov. 11, 1871 ; learned printing at
Livermore & Knight's and on the Journal ;
initiated into Providence Union Aug. 26,
1894 ; went to Boston in 1895, where he
is at present employed as a linotype
operator on the Herald.
ROBERT E. MCCARTHY — Born Provi-
dence Aug. 8, 1866 ; learned printing in
Willimantic, Conn., beginning in 1882;
initiated into Providence Union May 29,
1887 ; worked in this city at printing
about two years, and then gave up the
business to engage in railroading ; at
present a locomotive engineer.
SAMUEL N. McCARTY — Elected a
member of Providence Union Dec. 30,
1900. He was born in 1874, learned print-
ing in Leaderer's office, Buffalo, N. Y.,
and had worked in Norwich, Conn.
JOHN McCAULEY — Born Washington,
D. C., Nov. 5, 1878; learned printing in
offices of T. M. Curry and T. P. Morse, in
that city ; came to Providence April 25,
1904.
JOHN PHILIP McCAULEY — Born San
Francisco, Gal., April 2, 1865; learned
printing at Bangor, Me., beginning in
1881, and finished in the office of the
Rhode Island Printing Co. in this city ;
worked here in 1883-'84 ; now employed
on the Boston Globe.
NORMAN L. McCAUSLAND — Born
Providence Sept. 6, 1868 ; learned trade
at Rhode Island Printing Co., beginning
in 1882 ; learned to operate a linotype on
the Evening Bulletin.
JAMES E. McCLINTOCK — Born Fall
River, Mass., Dec. 17, 1863 ; learned)
printing on Fall River News ; initiated
into Providence Union Aug. 27, 1884 ;
worked on Journal until 1889 ; in New
York 1889-'91 ; in Boston 1891-1907 ; now
employed on Evening Bulletin.
GEORGE McCLURE — Born Coshockton,
O., March 15, 1863 ; learned printing in
that town, beginning Sept. 2, 1878 ; ad-
mitted to Providence Union by card at
the July meeting, 1888; "worked in every
town in the United States and Canada of
any importance, and in a great many that
were not of importance ;" located in
Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1904.
ALEXANDER McCOMB — Committed
suicide Sept. 26, 1886, in the printing
office of Hammond, Angell & Co., this
city. He was discovered by the fore-
man of the office, Arthur Shaw. He had
learned the trade of a pressman in the
Journal press room, coming there in 1856,
when the first Hoe cylinder press was in-
stalled. He was initiated into Providence
Typographical Union April 18, 1857 ; had
worked in almost every printing office in
Providence ; was about 55 years old at
time of death.
ANDREW J. McCONNELL — Born West
Chester, Pa. ; began to learn printing in
New York city in 1874; admitted to
Providence Union by card Sept. 27, 1891.
He came to this city from Brooklyn,
N. Y., with Mr. and Mrs. John L. Heaton,
founders of the Providence Daily News,
and was its first foreman. Toward the
end of 1892 there was a lock-out of the
Union force in the News composing room
and Mr. McConnell lost his position there-
by. Shortly after he went to Woonsocket
and became interested in the Evening
Call of that city and is now part owner
and managing editor of that successful
paper.
HUGH McDEVITT — Born Dublin, Ire-
land, Jan. 1, 1837 ; learned printing in
Liverpool, Eng. He writes : "First worked
in Providence in the fall of 1864, on the
Journal. There as an alleymate met
the first Mormon I ever knew, who, as
soon as he learned I was a soldier of
European experience, offered me a com-
mission in the Mormon army and tried to
get me to go to Utah ; but his descriptions
of Mormondom conflicted with my taste
and I concluded to remain a Puritan." In
the spring of 1865 he worked on the Post ;
employed on the Boston Globe in 1907.
PETER A. McDONALD — Died Paw-
tucket, R. I., Nov. 22, 1866, aged 28 years,
7 months and 20 days, the first member
of Providence Union to pass away after
its organization. He was a native of
Nova Scotia; initiated into No. 33 Sept.
11, 1858; President in 1860 and '61 and
delegate in 1862. The members of the
Union attended the funeral in a body.
TERESA McDONALD — Born Bristol,
R. I. ; learned printing in Woonsocket,
R. L, beginning in 1882 ; initiated into
Providence Union Sept. 26, 1886. Miss
McDonald writes : "I am at present (1904)
employed as proofreader on the Washing-
ton Post and have been since 1894, ex-
cepting three months in 1902, which I
spent in the Government Printing Office.
Since leaving Providence I have worked
in seven States, viz. : Connecticut, Mas-
sachusetts, Ohio, Illinois, Colorado, New
York, Virginia and the District of Colum-
bia. My affiliation with the Typographi-
cal Union has continued without a break,
and it is my hope and desire to retain my
membership therewith, either actively or
passively, as long as I live."
PATRICK E. McELROY — Born Provi-
dence in 1870 ; died in this city June 23,
1900 ; learned printing on the Evening
Bulletin and was a linotype operator ; he
was initiated into Providence Union Sept.
24, 1893.
LXII
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
JOHN McGINTY ("Texas Jack") —
Born in 1837 ; admitted to Providence
Union by card April 11, 1868; admitted
to Union Printers' Home from New York
Jan. 1, 1899 ; probably died in New York
State Insane Asylum on Ward's Island.
JOSEPH H. McGUINNESS— Born Mis-
souri March 3, 1866; learned printing on
Providence Telegram, beginning April,
1886 ; admitted to Providence Union as
apprentice member May 26, 1889 ; initi-
ated into Boston Union, No. 13, Feb. 23,
1890, and worked in that city on the
Globe ; also in Phenix, on the Gleaner ;
now foreman Westerly Daily Sun.
JAMES McGWIN — Died Providence
Feb. 26, 1876, aged 37 years. He was a
native of Ireland. In the Civil war he
served three years in the 7th R. I. Inf.
and was wounded at Fredericksburg, Va.
Probably learned printing at A. Craw-
ford Greene's and was foreman of that
office for a time.
MICHAEL J. McHUGH — Born Provi-
dence July 14, 1868 ; learned printing with
Whittemore & Thompson, beginning in
1885 ; then worked about 2 Ms years with
E. L. Freeman, Central Falls ; since that
time has been with the Providence Jour-
nal, of which he was assistant foreman
for many years ; now a linotype operator.
Mr. McHugh joined Providence Union as
an apprentice member April 24, 1887. He
is the inventor of an improved printers'
galley.
J. M. McINERNEY — Born Worcester,
Mass., where he learned printing, begin-
ning in 1889 ; worked in Providence in
1897 ; employed on the New York H'erald
in 1904.
FRANK J. McKAY — Born Buenos Ayres,
Argentine Republic, S. A., July 4, 1870;
learned printing in Providence, R. I., on
the R. I. Democrat, beginning in 1882;
initiated into Providence Union Feb. 26,
1889; worked in several Eastern cities;
served in the 2d Artillery, D Battery, in
Cuba, and in the 46th Infantry in the
Philippines ; at present in press room of
Providence Journal.
MRS. LULU BENNER (nee McKay) —
Born Providence Nov. 10, 1881 ; learned
printing in office of Telegram, beginning
in 1898; now retired from the business.
ALEXANDER McKEE — Initiated into
Providence Union June 24, 1900. He was
born in 1872, learned printing in Barrie,
Vt., and had been in the regular army.
JAMES FRANCIS McKENNA — Born
Providence in 1888 ; learned printing with
J. J. Ryder, 1903-'07 ; participated in the
effort for the eight-hour day at the end
of his apprenticeship.
WILLIAM D. McKENZIE — Born Provi-
dence Nov. 1, 1877 ; learned printing in
the office of Charles W. Littell, beginning
in 1892 ; initiated into No. 33 June 30,
1898; enlisted in the Hospital Corps dur-
ing the Spanish War ; worked on the Eve-
ning Bulletin ; now on New York Herald.
W. R. McKENZIE— Born Duquoin, 111.,
Aug. 7, 1868 ; learned printing on Chester
(111.) Clarion, beginning in 1882; worked
in most towns of any size in the United
States ; also, City of Mexico ; Nome,
Alaska ; London, England ; now employed
on New York Tribune ; worked on Provi-
dence Journal summer 1906.
CHARLES T. McKINLEY — Died at the
Soldiers' Home, Chelsea, Mass., Dec. 22,
1900, and was buried in the Soldiers'
Home lot, Forest Dale Cemetery, Maiden,
grave No. 227. He was admitted to
Providence Union by card April 8, 1883,
and had worked in various printing offices
in this city.
MILES A. McNAMEE — Born Provi-
dence Jan. 7, 1861 ; learned printing in
the Evening Press job office ; worked at
A. Crawford Greene's ; now employed in
the printing office of the Rumford Chemi-
cal Works. In politics Mr. McNamee has
been chairman of the Democratic City
Committe of Providence, delegate to the
National Democratic convention of 1896,
and is councilman from the Tenth Ward
of Providence in 1907.
P. J. McNULTY— Born Providence May
23, 1872 ; learned printing at M. J. Cum-
mings's office, beginning in 1901 ; em-
ployed at Phenix, R. I., in 1904.
WILLIAM McPHERSON — Born Pictou,
N. S., March 26, 1838 ; learned the print-
ing trade there, beginning in 1853 ; came
to Providence in June, 1859, working at
A: Crawford Greene's, then located at 24
Westminster street ; initiated into Provi-
dence Union March 12, 1884 ; from 1873
to 1894 he was with J. A. & R. A. Reid,
and from the latter date he has worked
with E. A. Johnson & Co. ; in the State
militia he rose to the rank of major.
THOMAS BOYD McQUEEN — Born
Glasgow, Scotland, where he learned the
printing trade ; worked in Providence
about seven weeks in 1885 on the Star
and Journal. Mr. McQueen prepared for
the operatic stage and has sung in Europe
and America in grand opera. Now em-
ployed on the New York Herald.
Initiated Into Providence Typographical
Union on Dates Named :
WILLIAM McCANN, April 8, 1883.
Died in Fall River.
F. D. McCARTER, Feb. 26, 1893.
J. G. McCARTY, Dec. 15, 1867.
W L. McCLINTOCK, Dec 28, 1890.
GEORGE D. McCULLOCH, Jan. 29,
1893.
HUGH F. McCUTCHEN, Oct. 29, 1887.
Learned trade on Bulletin.. (Deceased.)
GEORGE w. MCDONALD, NOV. 28,
1896.
THE JOURNEYMEN
LXIII
PHILIP McGEE, Feb. 26, 1889. (Press-
man.) Lived in Pawtucket ; worked on
Morning Star.
THOMAS McGUIGAN, Jan. 29, 1893.
J. A. McGUINNESS, April 15, 1883.
(Reported dead.)
WILLIAM J. McKAY, Nov. 28, 1883.
KATIE McKIERNAN (Miss), June 27,
1886.
WILLIAM McMAHON, May 17, 1888.
JOHN McMANUS, Nov. 14, 1874.
PETER McNAMARA, Aug. 31, 1890.
N. A. McPHERSON, Feb. 24, 1901.
Admitted by Card on Dates Named :
JAMES McCANN, November, 1883.
JOHN H. McCANN, February, 1886.
Worked on Journal and later in Boston
and New York.
WILLIAM B. McCANN, April 8, 1883.
(Deceased.)
J. R. McCONICA, June 25, 1884. (Re-
ported dead at St. John, N. B.)
H. C. McCONNELL, deposited and
withdrew card in 1877.
JAMES McCONVILLE, January, 1887.
(Dead.)
WILLIAM H. McCORMACK, Dec. 31,
1899.
WILLIAM A. McCORMICK, July 28,
1901.
E. P. McCREARY, from Scranton, Pa.,
Jan. 9, 1869.
RONALD S. McDONALD, Feb. 26, 1899.
ROBERT C. McDOWELL, Aug. 13,
1870 ; Oct. 8, 1870.
A. J. McFARLAND, October, 1888.
T. N. McGILL ("Charley Ross"), July
30, 1884; August, 1888. (Reported dead.)
JOSEPH J. McGINLEY, January, 1889.
(Dead.)
WILLIAM H. McGOWAN, August, 1888.
WILLIAM F. McGRATH, Feb. 28, 1892.
GEORGE A. McGUINNESS, July 30,
1884. Brother of Joseph H. McGuinness.
JOHN B. McILVAIN, Feb. 27, 1884.
THOMAS G. McKEAN, August, 1888.
P. H. McKENNA, February, 1886.
T. P. McKINNEY, February, 1886. In
1905 at San Luis Obispo, Cal.
JOHN A. McKINNON, Oct. 31, 1897.
W. J. McMICKING (Sidewheeler"),
April, 1886.
FRANK McNAMEE, May 10, 1873. No.
4173 in "Big Six" in 1906.
JOHN McNAMEE, Sept. 30, 1883.
GOODWIN B. McNARY, Dec. 27, 1885.
T. K. McNEIR, May, 1885.
B. H. McQUEENEY, March, 1885.
CHARLES McQUILLAN, Oct. 26, 1890.
DANIEL McSWEENEY, Sept. 25, 1898.
Printers Known to Have Worked Here :
JAMES McCORMICK— 1883.
MINNIE McCOY — At Freeman's, . Cen-
tral Falls.
W. H. McCANN — 1903.
SAMUEL McNAUGHT — Directory 1904.
ALBERT NELSON — Born Boston, Mass.,
in 1852 ; learned printing in that city, be-
ginning in 1873 ; worked in Providence in
1887 ; visited this city again in 1904.
WILLIAM A. NEWELL — Born Alle-
ghany City, Pa. ; learned printing in Fall
River, Mass., beginning in 1877 ; admit-
ted to Providence Union by card Dec. 26,
1883 ; worked on Evening Bulletin for
about 18 years until 1901 ; for about 10
years had charge of the advertising de-
partment in the composing room ; since
1901 he has been in the hay and grain
business at Auburn, R. I.
JOSEPH T. NEWTON — Died at the R.
I. Hospital Feb. 13, 1900, in his 44th
year. He was found in the early morn-
ing unconscious on Jackson street, in
front of the Y. M. C. A. building, where
he probably fell and fractured his skull
while on his way home from work on the
Journal. He was a native of England,
but came to this city from Springfield,
Mass. ; initiated into Providence Union
Nov. 30, 1885 ; worked on the Journal as
compositor, linotype operator and night
editor. Walter Scott, Albert E. Morrill
and C. E. Burtwell were bearers at the
funeral. Burial was at Pocasset Ceme-
tery.
ROBERT E. NEWTON — Born Wake-
field, Mass., Sept. 3, 1867 ; learned print-
ing in the "Kindergarten" of the Provi-
dence Journal office, beginning in 1884 ;
initiated into No. 33 Sept. 25, 1887 ; at
present assistant foreman Evening Bul-
letin.
ELIAS S. NICKERSON — Initiated into
Providence Union June 28, 1885 ; worked
in Pawtucket and on Evening Press ; in
the Civil war served in navy ; now mem-
ber of firm of John F. Greene Co.
JAMES L. NICKERSON — Died Paw-
tucket, R. L, April 5, 1866, aged 31 years
and 26 days ; learned printing in office of
Pawtucket Gazette and Chronicle ; in 1854
he worked at 11 Market square in Provi-
dence.
WILLIAM C. NICKERSON — Born
Providence May 15, 1880; learned print-
ing in office of Jou-rnal, beginning in 1897 ;
left Providence in 1901 for Boston, where
he is at present employed.
ALEXANDER P. NIGER — Died Provi-
dence Jan. 13, 1898, aged 68 years. He
was the first man of color to work at
printing in Providence and probably the
first one to be admitted to any Typo-
graphical Union in the United States. His
name appears in the Directory of 1850 as
working at 15 Market square, where the
Daily Post was printed. Later he worked
at 24 Westminster street, A. Crawford
Greene's office. He was a charter mem-
ber of Providence Union in 1857 and
retained his membership until 1878, when
the Union disbanded.
JAMES C. NIXON — Born Drogheda,
county Meath, Ireland, July 2, 1864 ;
learned the printing trade in that city ;
came to Providence in 1882 ; was initiated
into No. 33 April 29, 1888.
LXIV
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
GEORGE A. NOBLE — Died at East
Side Hospital Oct 12, 1903, aged 49 years,
after undergoing a surgical operation.
He was one of the proprietors of the
What Cheer Printing Co. ; in 1900 he was
a member of the General Assembly from
Harrington, of which town he was a resi-
dent at the time of death.
JOHN J. NOLAN — Born Woonsocket
Aug.. 1, 1857 ; learned printing trade in
the office of the Providence Journal, be-
ginning in 1876; was admitted to the
Union April 15, 1883; has worked on the
Telegram, Star and Press, and on the
Pawtucket Times ; located in Olneyville
in 1907.
STEPHEN HENRY NOLAN — Died
Providence July 29, 1896, aged 30 years;
he learned printing in the office of the
Evening Press, beginning in 1883 ; initi-
ated into Providence Union at the De-
cember meeting, 1886 ; at time of death
was employed on the Journal ; he was
brother of Thomas M. Nolan of Boston.
THOMAS M. NOLAN — Born Providence
Dec. 14, 1859 ; learned printing in office
of Evening Bulletin, beginning in 1876 ;
worked in Providence on the Bulletin,
Journal, Press, Star, Dispatch, Telegram,
and in book and job offices from 1876 to
August, 1885, when he went to Boston to
.live ; was initiated into Providence Union
April 15, 1883, the first meeting after
the reorganization, and took an active
part in the work of building it up ; was
Vice President, also delegate to the R. I.
C. L. U. ; also on the charter list of the
labor newspaper, "The People." In Mas-
sachusetts Mr. Nolan first worked on the
Somerville Journal and the Boston Her-
ald; in October, 1885, was day foreman of
the Post, and from 1891 to 1900 was its
night foreman ; was chairman of the Post
chapel at time of lockout in 1891 ; was
reading clerk for Boston T. U., No. 13,
for several years, and delegate to New
England Printing Trades' and State
Branch, A. F. of L. Mr. Nolan has edited
the Union Label Magazine since 1898.
HENRY NORFOLK — Born Kirkstall,
England, in 1864 ; learned printing in
Leeds, England ; admitted by card to
Providence Union Aug. 25, 1901 ; was 12
years father of chapel in one office ; for
three years delegate to Providence Allied
Trades' Council ; participated in effort for
eight-hour day in 1906 ; located in Provi-
dence in 1907.
CLARENCE NORTHROP — Born Ham-
den, Conn., Oct. 22, 1855 ; learned printing
on the Bridgeport Farmer, beginning in
1870; Providence "was the first city I
struck on my first trip 'on the road ;' "
admitted by card to No. 33 June 25, 1884 ;
worked on the Evening Telegram ; with
C. G. Whaples & Co., New Haven, Conn.,
in 1904.
WALTER BYRON NORTON — Born
Providence Feb. 21, 1882 ; learned print-
ing in office of Visitor, beginning in 1897 ;
assistant foreman Morning Tribune in
1907.
ALPHA H. NUTTING— Born Delevan,
111., Sept. 19, 1863 ; learned printing in
office of Fall River Sun, beginning in May,
1878; initiated into Providence Union
Sept. 30, 1883 ; worked in most of the
large cities of the United States ; several
years on the New York World, and since
1894 in Boston ; on Hearst's American,
Boston, in 1907.
Initiated Into Providence Typographical
Union on Date Named:
HAROLD E. NOCK, May 28, 1893.
Admitted by Card on Dates Named :
H. E. NEWTON, from New York, July
8, 1871.
JAMES W. NEWTON, Sept. 9, 1871.
J. H. NORTON, Aug. 10, 1872.
Name from Providence Directory:
FREDERICK A. NIGER — 1863; proba-
bly learned at A. Crawford Greene's.
JOSEPH B. OAKLEY (Little Joe) —
Died Greenfield, Mass. ; admitted to Provi-
dence Union by card Nov. 14, 1868 ;
worked in this city at various times.
G. R. O'BRIEN — Born Oswego, N. Y.,
Feb. 19, 1867; learned printing in Oswego,
beginning in 1879 ; admitted to Providence
Union by card at the April meeting, 1886,
and worked in this city during that spring
and summer ; located in Chicago, 111., in
1904.
JOSEPH A. O'BRIEN — Born Providence
Sept. 2, 1869; learned printing on Eve-
ning Bulletin, beginning in 1888, and
worked on that paper as a linotype opera-
tor until 1906 ; initiated into Providence
Union Aug. 31, 1890 ; now employed on
Evening Tribune.
STEPHEN W. OCKREY — Born Provi-
dence April 19, 1866 ; learned trade at
Utley's Printing Office, Norwich, Conn., of
which office he was foreman from 1885 to
1891 ; foreman of Norwich Printing Co.
from 1891 to 1894 ; foreman Norwich
Morning Post from 1894 to 1897 ; initiated
into Providence Union Feb. 25, 1900 ; with
E. A. Johnson & Co. from 1897 to 1906 ;
participated in the effort for the eight-
hour day in 1906.
DANIEL O'CONNOR — Born Tiguish,
P. E. I., Jan. 31, 1879 ; started his appren-
ticeship to printing in his native town
and finished at What Cheer Print in this
city, where he began to work in 1895 ;
obligated in Providence Union May 27.
1900 ; financial secretary in 1903, and was
elected Vice President in 1904, succeed-
ing to the presidency when Mr. Geer left
the city ; Vice President again in 1907 ;
THE JOURNEYMEN
LXV
delegate to Colorado Springs I. T. U. con-
vention in 1906 ; now employed on Eve-
ning Bulletin.
JOHN EDWARD O'CONNOR — Born
Manchester, N. H., March 11, 1849 ; began
apprenticeship in Providence Journal office
in 1867 ; worked on Journal and in Bos-
ton, and recently in book offices in Provi-
dence.
ROBERT O'CONNOR — Born Ireland in
1850 ; began to learn printing in 1864 in
London, Ontario ; admitted to Providence
Union by card Sept. 10, 1870 ; worked on
the Morning Herald until 1873 ; on the
Inter-Ocean, Chicago, in 1905.
FRANK O'DONNELL — Born Pawtucket,
R. I., Nov. 8, 1868; learned printing in
the office of Sibley & Lee in that city,
beginning in 1883 ; worked in Providence
at various times between 1886 and 1890
on the Telegram and Journal ; initiated
into Providence Union July 31, 1887 ; char-
ter member of Pawtucket Union, No. 212,
organized Monday, Dec. 3, 1888 ; deposited
card in New York Nov. 6, 1890 ; em-
ployd on the New York American in 1904.
CHARLES STANLEY OGDEN — Born
Bridgeport, Pa., May 26, 1865 ; learned
printing in Philadelphia ; worked at Snow
& Farnham's from 1887 to 1906 ; initiated
into Providence Union Dec. 30, 1888; par-
ticipated in the effort for the eight-hour
day in 1906 ; now employed on Attleboro
Sun.
THOMAS J. O'GORMAN — Born Clon-
mel, county Tipperary, Ireland, June 12,
1863 ; learned printing on the Tipperary
Free Press, beginning in 1876; initiated
into Tipperary Union in 1882 ; came to
New York in 1885 ; and to Providence in
1906.
HENRY WILLIAM O'HARA — Born
Taunton, Mass., Sept. 14, 1878; learned
printing in office of C.. A. Hack & Son
in that city, beginning in 1894 ; initiated
into Providence Union March 25, 1900 ;
worked in this city in the offices of the
Journal and Chaffee-Mclndoe ; in Boston
on the Herald ; now conducting the
Oxford Printing Co. in this city.
JOHN F. O'HARA — Born Feb. 27, 1873,
at Taunton, Mass. ; learned printing on
the Taunton News and Providence Jour-
nal, beginning in 1890 ; initiated into
Providence Union Nov. 28, 1896 ; worked
a short time on Pawtuxet Valley Gleaner
before coming to Providence ; worked as
linotype operator on Bulletin and Journal
until 1906 ; now employed on Tribune.
W. H. O'HARA (pressman) — Died Rox-
bury, Mass., June 4, 1901. He was one
of the most skilful pressmen in the coun-
try and had worked in Providence, Worces-
ter. New York and Boston. He was initi-
ated into Providence Union June 27, 1886.
JAMES D. O'HERN — Born Providence
Aug. 13, 1870 ; learned printing at Reid's,
beginning in 1889 ; initiated into Provi-
dence Union June 26, 1892.
WILLIAM OLNEY — Died Providence
Jan. 10, 1807, in the 24th year of his age.
He bought the Phoenix July 7, 1804, and
published it to the time of his death.
JOHN A. O'NEILL — Born in 1857;
learned printing in offices of Millard, Gray
& Simpson and Rhode Island Printing Co. ;
worked in Boston and New York ; initi-
ated into Bix Six ; admitted to Providence
Union by card at May meeting, 1887, and
soon after placed on honorary list, hav-
ing engaged in other business ; in 1901
returned to printing and is now located
in Boston on the Globe.
LOUIS B. O'NEILL — Born Detroit,
Mich., Feb. 5, 1859 ; learned printing there,
beginning in 1873 and receiving card in
1877 ; withdrew card from Providence
Union July 1, 1883, having worked on the
Telegram ; has worked in various cities
and again visited Providence in June, 1906.
NATHAN M. ORMSBEE — Born Provi-
dence Sept. 1, 1821, in a house on Gaspee
street. He attended schools kept by Mrs.
Seagrave and Oliver Angell. Learned the
printing trade in the office of the Repub-
NATHAN M. ORMSBEE.
lican-Herald ; worked on the Gaspee
Torchlight, the Journal, Post, Herald and
Star in this city, the Tribune and Morning
Star in New York city and in Pawtucket
for Robert Sherman. He was initiated into
Providence Union April 18, 1857 ; was
financial secretary in 1873. Mr. Ormsbee
became the oldest printer in Rhode Island
LXVI
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
Oct. 28, 1904, by the death of Samuel S.
Wilson. For many years he was a promi-
nent figure in ward politics in the old
First Ward, now the Second Ward. He
retired from printing in 1877.
WILLIAM A. ORAHOOD — Was killed
in a railroad wreck on the Norfolk &
Western railroad, near Marion, Va., Dec.
13, 1897. The body was frightfully
mangled. A certificate of membership,
issued by Pittsburg Typographical Union,
was found on the remains, and U. S. Com-
missioner Williams of Marion, formerly
a printer, notified Secretary Cully of Pitts-
burg. The relatives of the deceased re-
sided in Marysville, O. Mr. Orahood had
been admitted to Providence Union by
card in 1885. He was 37 years of age.
HENRY K. ORME — Born Ireland Sept.
12, 1850 ; learned printing with Providence
Press Co., beginning about 1868; his "first
job as an apprentice was inking poster
work for the late John H. Campbell on
large hand presses ;" worked for Millard,
Gray & Simpson and J. A. & R. A. Reid,
and one year at printing in New York
city ; now with Flint & Co., this city, as
salesman.
THOMAS F. O'ROURKE — Bom Provi-
dence Jan. 31, 1860 ; learned trade of
proofreader on Journal, beginning in 1885,
and is at present employed there in that
capacity ; initiated into Providence Union
Sept. 24, 1899.
JOHN F. O'SULLIVAN — Born Brook-
lyn, N. Y., March 22, 1873; learned print-
ing on the Standard-Union, beginning in
1888 ; worked in Providence for a short
time in 1905, between the meetings of the
union ; located in Beverly, Mass., in 1905.
ANDREW M. OTIS — Born Nashua,
N. H., Aug. 3, 1850; learned printing in
office of the Nashua Daily Telegraph, be-
ginning in 1871 ; worked in Providence
after serving his time until Dec. 22, 1881 ;
was foreman of the Sunday Dispatch, the
first Sunday paper published in Provi-
dence, while it was printed on Weybosset
street ; then on the Evening Bulletin and
Daily Journal until 1881. when he re-
turned to Nashua. Mr. Otis is. a charter
member of Nashua Typographical Union
and foreman of the Telegraph,
Initiated Into Providence Typographical
Union on Dates Named :
CHARLES W. OBERTON, Sept. 30,
1888. Was assistant foreman of Bulletin;
took foremanship of Telegram after the
lockout, when James Russell was deposed ;
in Rockland, Me., in 1905.
JOHN J. O'FLANAGAN, Feb. 24, 1901.
(Writer on Boston Advertiser 1905.)
F. J. O'LEARY, April 25, 1886.
JOHN O'MEARA, Aug. 27, 1884 ; worked
on Journal ; died in Boston.
Admitted by Card on Dates Named. :
JOSEPH O'CONNELL, Nov. 9, 1873.
ED. B. O'CONNER, Feb. 24, 1901.
J. KERRY O'CONNER, Dec. 9, 1871.
JAMES O'CONNER, April 8, 1871.
DAVID OHLE, April 12, 1873.
J. H. OLDFIELD, October, 1883.
O. OLSEN, Dec. 18, 1892.
Printers Known to Have Worked Here :
EUGENE F. O'BRIEN ("Duffy") — I.
T. U. delegate from Norwich (Conn.)
Union to Detroit convention, 1899 ; worked
in Providence that year ; home in Roches-
ter, N. Y.
T. J. O'CONNER— 187— .
PAUL P. ORTH — 1874.
JOHN E. PACKENHAM — Born Ire-
land; died in this city Oct. 22, 1887, aged
23 years ; learned printing in Ireland ; ini-
tiated into Providence Union July 3, 1884 ;
worked in this city on the Morning Star ;
also in Boston.
WILLIAM PALMER ("Scotia")— Born
Tillicoultry, Scotland, Oct. 3, 1861 ; learned
printing in Scotland and England, begin-
ning in 1879 ; first came to Providence in
1882, and was obligated at the first meet-
ing of the reorganized Union April 8,
1883 ; worked on the Evening Press, Morn-
ing Star, Journal and Evening Telegram ;
was foreman of The People ; also worked
in Boston; delegate to I. T. U. conven-
tion in 1893; President of No. 33 in
1895, 1902 and 1903 ; in the latter year the
first recognized chapel was organized in
the Journal office ; member of the souve-
nir . committee and toastmaster at the
Fiftieth Anniversary banquet (1907) ; now
employed on the Evening Bulletin as
proofreader. Mr. Palmer was candidate
for Secretary of State of Rhode Island
on the Democratic ticket in 1906.
HERBERT PARKER — Initiated into
Providence Union Dec. 27, 1885 ; worked
on the Morning Star until its demise, and
then returned to Nantucket, where he
took up the business of grocer.
EDWARD LEON PARKINS — Born
Salem, Ore., June 23, 1877 ; learned print-
ing at Spokane, Wash., beginning in 1893 ;
admitted to Providence Union by card
September, 1906 ; worked in this city as a
linotype operator until the following De-
cember, when he left the city.
JONATHAN C. PARMENTER — Died
New Bedford, Mass., March 4, 1838, aged
35 years. In 1826-'28 he was a partner
in the printing firm of Smith & Parmen-
ter at 9 Market street, Providence. About
a month before his death Mr. Parmenter
started the New Bedford Advertiser.
CHARLES HENRY PARTRIDGE —
Born Franklin, Mass., April, 1860; died
(suicide) Woonsocket, R. I., April 11,
1903 ; began to learn printing in Frank-
lin about 1876 ; initiated into Providence
Union Feb. 27, 1887. His father, G. I.
Partridge of Franklin, wrote : "The rea-
son of his death, or why he took his life,
THE JOURNEYMEN
LXVII
will always remain a mystery. He had
worked in the office of the Woonsocket
Reporter nearly five years, was always
steady, and received a good salary."
WILLIAM J. PASSMORE — Committed
suicide by cutting his throat with a razor
in this city Oct. 10, 1895, owing to de-
spondency caused by illness ; he was initi-
ated into Providence Union May 31, 1885,
and had worked in various job offices
here.
ALFRED W. PEARCE — In 1857 worked
at 24 Westminster street ; lived in Paw-
tucket ; name in list of members in 1865
constitution.
BENJAMIN W. PEARCE — Born Swan-
sea, Mass., April 9, 1819 ; died Newport,
R. L, April 15, 1904. From his eighth to
his eighteenth year he was employed in
a Fall River factory ; then he was ap-
prenticed to the printing business in the
office of the Fall River Patriot. Without
finishing his apprenticeship he came to
Providence in August, 1837, and entered
the employ of Knowles, Vose & Co. at
$3 per week. His work was printing lot-
tery tickets on a hand press. At the end
of six months he went to New York city
to work as a "two-thirder."' No man in
the office would correct his first proof for
the price it would bring. While in New
York Mr. Pearce started the Sunday-
School Monitor, probably the first Sunday
school paper published in America. He
did all the work on it himself, but it was
not successful, and he returned to Fall
River, working along the shore for two
years. In June, 1840, he went to Paw-
tucket, where, in partnership with Elder
Tappan H. Bacheller, he printed the
"Christian Soldier," occupying all positions
from devil to assistant editor. Later he
published a weekly temperance paper
called "Sparkling Fountain." In its col-
umns he waged a bitter warfare against
liquor selling. He was repeatedly threat-
ened with bodily harm, and one night his
type was thrown into the Blackstone
river. In 1843 he sold out his business
and accepted the position of foreman in
the office of Ray Potter & Son. In June,
1852, Mr. Pearce went to Boston to work
in the office of J. E. Farwell & Co. While
in their employ he occupied the dual posi-
tion of editor and foreman of a weekly
political paper through two political cam-
paigns. Here Mr. Pearce acquired the
rare accomplishment of putting his
thoughts into type without having previ-
ously written them. Standing at the
"case," apparently engaged in the manual
occupation of typesetting, ideas flowed
from his fingers in lead, as in the case of
others from a penpoint, in ink. This prac-
tice he followed thereafter. The fall of
1856 found Mr. Pearce in Providence
again, at work in the office of A. Crawford
Greene. April 3, 1857, in company with
Noel A. Tripp, he started the Fall River
Daily Evening Star, the first daily in that
city. The Star suspended March 27, 1858.
He went to Biddeford, Me., for a month,
and then entered the employ of George T.
Hammond, publisher of the Newport Daily
News, to have charge of its local depart-
ment. In 1861 he entered the employ of
the Providence Evening Press as their
Newport local and marine correspondent,
in which capacity he continued for 25
years, during which time he was elected
Harbor Master for eight years. In 1886,
when he was 67 years of age, he started
the Newport Enterprise, and continued its
publication 11 years, when failing health
compelled him to abandon the work. For
this paper he was editor, reporter, type-
setter, office boy, pressman, printer's
"devil," poet, advertising agent, bill col-
lector, manager and newsboy. His poems
have been collected and printed in a small
volume, and he also printed a book, "Rec-
ollections of a Long and Busy Life,"
probably doing all the work himself.
ROBERT. M. PEARSE — Born Reho-
both, Mass., Oct. 21, 1803; learned print-
ing in the office of Miller & Hutchens,
ROBERT M. PEARSE.
Providence, beginning in 1819. While
an apprentice he set some of the type for
the first number of the Journal in 1820.
After his apprenticeship he worked in
this city, Boston, Cambridge, New Bed-
ford and Taunton, varying his work at
printing with two attempts at farming.
In 1863 he entered the job office of
Knowles, Anthony & Co. and continued
until 1876, when sickness compelled him
to leave his "case." From Feb. 13, 1877,
until his death, Dec. 8, 1886, he was the
oldest printer in the State.
LXVIII
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
ARTHUR S. PEASE — Born Putnam,
Conn., March 26, 1864: learned printing
on the Woonsocket Evening Reporter, be-
ginning in September, 1878; initiated into
Providence Union May 28, 1884, and
worked in this city a few weeks in that
year ; was transferred to "Big Six," New
York, in 1898, and granted a withdrawal
card in 1902, since which date he has
represented the Goss Printing Press Co.
of Chicago, 111., with headquarters in
New York City.
LEROY B. PEASE — Born Enfield,
Conn., Feb. 2, 1842 ; learned printing in
Rockville, Conn., 1858-'61 ; initiated into
Hartford Union in 1861 ; New York
Union, No. 6, in 1866; Providence Union
by card Dec. 9, 1871 ; took a withdrawal
card from No. 33 July 9, 1872; founded
the Woonsocket Evening Reporter Oct.
1, 1873, and continued with that paper
until the fall of 1897; started the Paw-
tucket Sun in November, 1897, and the
Woonsocket Sun Jan. 1, 1899. These
last two papers had but a brief exist-
ence. Mr. Pease was made an honorary
member of Woonsocket Union upon its
organization. His chief distinction will
be that without capital he started and
conducted to success the Evening Re-
porter, in Woonsocket, in opposition to
the long-established weekly Patriot.
'WILLIAM M. PECKHAM — Born Peter-
sham, Mass., Feb. 2, 1846 ; learned print-
ing at Barre, Mass., beginning April,
1860; worked in Providence on the Jour-
nal 1866-'67 ; joined Providence Union
Aug. 10, 1867; worked 9% years on
Pawtucket Chronicle, lO1/^ years at E. L.
Freeman's, Central Falls; 18 years Over-
seer of the Poor of Pawtucket and at
present holds that position.
DAVID N. PENDERGAST — Initiated
into Providence Union Dec. 31, 1899 ;
learned printing in Newport, R. I.
EDGAR A. PERKINS — Initiated into
Providence Union Sept. 14, 1872, and
continued a member until 1878, when the
charter was surrendered. He was again
initiated May 17, 1888. He is dead.
HOWARD R. PERRY — Born Provi-
dence, R. I., in 1868; learned printing at
East Greenwich ; came to Providence in
1892, from Taunton ; worked on News,
Telegram and Tribune ; now employed on
the Saratogian, Saratoga, N. Y. ; was ini-
tiated into No. 33 Dec. 27, 1896.
GEORGE HENRY PETTIS — Born
Pawtucket, R. L, March 17, 1834. At the
age of 12 years he began to learn print-
ing in the office of the Advertiser, a
weekly newspaper published at Cohoes.
N. Y. In August, 1849, he removed to
Providence, where he followed the occu-
pation of printer until May, 1854, being
employed most of the time on the Morn-
ing Mirror, when he went to California,
arriving at San Francisco on June 17 of
that year on the steamer Brother Jona-
than via Nicaragua. He engaged at min-
ing in the vicinity of Carrote, Tuolumne
county, from June, 1854, until May, 1858,
when he returned to San Francisco. He
resumed his occupation as a printer, and
was employed upon the Alta California.
Morning Call and Herald. He also, at
one time, held a situation upon the Stock-
ton Argus and was for a time employed
at Sacramento. When President Lincoln
made a call upon California for volun-
teers he entered the military service of
the United States as second lieutenant,
Co. B, 1st California Inf. ; promoted to
first lieutenant, Co. K, same regiment.
Jan. 1, 1862, commanding the company
nearly all of the time until mustered out
on Feb. 15, 1865, when he was immedi-
ately mustered into the service again as
first lieutenant, Co. F, 1st New Mexico
Inf. He commanded Co. F until pro-
moted to adjutant of the regiment, June
1, 1865, and was finally mustered out
Sept. 1, 1866, having served continuously
five years and fifteen days. He was in a
number of skirmishes with the Apache
and Navajo Indians ; brevetted captain.
U. S. Vols., March 13, 1865, "for distin-
guished gallantry in the engagement at
the Adobe Walls, Texas, with the Com-
manche and Kiowa Indians," Nov. 25,
1864, in which he commanded the artil-
lery. In November, 1868, he removed
from New Mexico to this city. He was a
member of the Common Council from the
Ninth Ward from June, 1872, to January,
1876, and a member of the Rhode Island
House of Representatives in 1876 and
1877 ; was boarding officer of the port of
Providence from 1878 to 1885 ; was marine
editor of the Providence Journal from
1885 to 1887 ; was sealer of weights and
measures and superintendent of street
signs and numbers at Providence, R. I.,
from March, 1890, to 1897 ; was ap-
pointed state sealer of weights, meas-
ures and balances Jan. 31, 1901, which
position he now holds. Mr. Pettis is a
member of the G. A. R., Military Order
of the Loyal Legion, R. I. Soldiers and
Sailors' Historical Society, U. S. Veteran
Association and Society of California Pio-
neers of New England.
GEORGE H. PETTIS, JR. (son of
George H. Pettis) — Born San Francisco,
Cal., June 30, 1860 ; learned printing at
Hammond, Angell & Co.'s, beginning in
1876 ; worked at Whittier, Cal., in 1905,
and was a member of Los Angeles Union ;
now employed in San Francisco, Cal.
EDWIN PHARE (son of Henry Phare)
— Died Providence Oct. 20, 1896, in his
40th year; learned printing in the Jour-
nal office ; admitted to Providence Union
by card April 26, 1896.
HENRY PHARE (Dummy) — Died
Providence June 24, 1881 ; in 1849 and for
many years later he was employed on
the Journal ; initiated into Providence
Union April 18, 1857.
THE JOURNEYMEN
LXIX
JAMES P. PHELAN — Admitted by card
to Providence Union January, 1885 ; died
Boston, Mass., Jan. 23, 1888, and buried
in printers' lot there.
LOUIS G. PHILLIPS — Born Jersey
City, N. J., Nov. 29, 1862; died Central
Falls, R. I., June 16, 1902, from paralysis;
learned printing in Providence, in the
offices of the Evening Press and Tele-
gram, and worked at the business in this
city until 1891, when he went to Central
Falls and embarked in the undertaking
business and carried it on successfully
until his death ; initiated into Providence
Union Aug. 27, 1884.
THOMAS H. PHILLIPS (brother of
Louis G. Phillips) — Born Jersey City,
N. J., Aug. 15, 1865 ; learned printing in
the office of the Providence Evening
Press", beginning in 1882 ; worked in
Providence until 1890, when he removed
to Pawtucket and worked at E. L. Free-
man & Son's, Central Falls, until the
eight-hour struggle in 1906 ; initiated into
Providence Union March 29, 1885 ; Presi-
dent Pawtucket Union 1893-'94 ; Vice
President R. I. State Federation of Labor
1907 ; now employed on Bulletin.
L. O. PHINNEY — Died Rochester,
N. Y., Sept. 12, 1905, aged 67 years; born
Syracuse, N. Y., and joined the Union
there in 1853 ; he worked in many of the
eastern cities, visiting Providence in 1864,
when he was admitted to No. 33 on June
11. In the Civil war he served in Co. A,
1st N. Y. Mounted Rifles.
ORANGE M. PICKETT — Born New
Haven, Conn., Dec. 14, 1847; learned
printing in office of Journal and Courier,
New Haven, beginning Dec. 14, 1863 ;
initiated into New Haven Union in 1867 ;
admitted to Providence Union by card
Dec. 11, 1869 ; worked in this city about
six months on the Morning Herald ; dele-
gate from New Haven to I. T. U. in
1873 ; now employed on the Boston Globe.
ROBERT A. PIERCE — Died Boston
July 17, 1900. He was working at print-
ing in Providence as early as 1854, and
was a charter member of No. 33 in 1857.
In the constitution of that year his name
appears in the list of past officers as the
first President of the society.
EDWARD LESLIE PIKE — Born St.
John's, N. F., Sept. 23, 1847; learned
printing in a job office in Boston, begin-
ning in 1865 ; came to Providence in
1880; worked on Journal, Telegram,
Morning Star, Evening Press, Sunday
Dispatch, Journal of Commerce, Visitor
and at Reid's ; was active in the reorgani-
zation of the Union in 1883 and was its
first financial secretary ; participated in
the effort for the eight-hour day in 1906 ;
now employed at Providence Printing Co.,
setting type for "Printers and Printing
in Providence."
ALONZO E. PITMAN — Born Newport,
R. I., Jan. 3, 1865 ; learned printing on
Newport Mercury, beginning in 1881 ; ini-
tiated into Providence Union June 27,°
1886 ; worked at Johnson's and Reid's
and on the Morning Star, Telegram and
Dispatch ; at E. L. Freeman's, Central
Falls ; Times, Pawtucket ; Newport Her-
ald since 1892.
ANDREW J. PITMAN — Died Newport,
R. L, March 21, 1884 ; learned printing in
the office of the Newport Daily News ;
initiated into Providence Union Dec. 9,
1871 ; worked in many cities in the West
and returned to Providence a few years
before his death ; his card was deposited
in No. 33 April 22, 1883, for the last time.
, JEROME P. PLUMMER — Born Law-
rence, Mass., July 10, 1860 ; learned
stereotyping on the Providence Journal,
beginning in 1881, and has worked there
since ; he is now night foreman of stereo-
type room ; admitted to membership in
No. 33 May 29, 1887.
ALFRED POLIQUIN — Born Levis,
P. Q., Canada, in 1864 ; learned printing
in the office of the Pawtucket Chronicle ;
initiated into Providence Union June 27,
1901.
P. P. POMEROY— Elected an honorary
member of Providence Union in January,
1884. The next year he removed to St.
Paul, Minn.
ORRIN SCOTT POND — Born Foxboro,
Mass., in 1836; died there Feb. 5, 1886.
His name appears on the pay roll of the
Providence Journal for the week ending
Aug. 13, 1853; then he worked on the
Daily Post and later on the Evening
Press, and again on the Journal. He
left this city for a time and was fore-
man of the Worcester Press, but returned
to the Journal office, where his last work
at printing was performed. He was a
charter member of Providence Union in
1857. In the Civil war he served in the
llth R. I. Vols.
JOHN H. PORTHOUSE — Born England
in 1847 ; learned printing in Journal job
office, Providence, beginning in 1864 ; ini-
tiated into Providence Union Dec. 11,
1869 ; worked for George H. Whitney, this
city, and for Mudge & Sons, Boston ; re-
turned to Providence after a few months
and worked for Pierce & Budlong ; in
1875, with O. A. Carleton, purchased the
Franklin Printing Office (formerly Pierce
& Budlong) and started the What Cheer
Printing Co. ; firm dissolved in 1880 ; at
present (1904) "John H. Porthouse, Com-
mercial Printer, No. 668 Baltic Street,
Brooklyn, N. Y." Organized the first flute
and drum corps in Rhode Island (1873)
and was drum major (the first one they
had) of the United Train of Artillery, to
which the flute and drum corps was at-
tached. He served from 1861 to 1864 in
the 3d R. I. Heavy Artillery.
LXX
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
HARRY B. POTTER — Born Reading,
Mass., June 26, 1882 ; began to learn
printing in Wakefleld, Mass., in 1897 ;
'admitted to Providence Union by card in
April, 1906 ; participated in eight-hour
strike, 1906; linotype operator; located in
Boston in 1907.
HENRY W. POTTER — Born Cranston
July 8, 1856 ; learned the printing trade
in the office of the Evening Press in this
city, beginning Oct. 4, 1873 ; was admit-
ted to the Union in 1876 and again July
5, 1885 ; has worked at the business in
Westerly, Pawtucket and Phenix, in this
State, and at the Norwood Press in Mas-
sachusetts ; participated in eight-hour
strike in 1906 ; is at present located in
Providence.
S. FRANK POTTER — Born April 12,
1863, on the whaling ship Illinois of New
Bedford, Mass., while the vessel was
cruising off the coast of New Zealand ;
learned printing in Norwich, Conn. ; initi-
ated into Providence Union Nov. 12, 1884 ;
worked on the Journal and later removed
to Brooklyn, N. Y., where he died.
STEPHEN B. POTTER — Worked on
Journal in 1856-'57 ; was member of
Providence Union previous to April 18,
1857 ; foreman of Evening Press book and
job office in 1862; admitted to St. Louis
Union in 1864.
JOHN A. POWERS — Born Providence
Feb. 6, 1887 ; learned printing on Evening
Bulletin, beginning in 1903 ; initiated into
Providence Union as an apprentice mem-
ber January, 1906 ; now copy cutter on
Evening Bulletin.
JOHN H. POWERS — Died at St.
Mary's Hospital, Brooklyn, N. Y., May
28, 1904. He was born in Nova Scotia
in 1854 and after learning printing came
to Providence, depositing his card in No.
33 Aug. 10, 1872 ; later he went to New
York city, where he worked at his trade
on the Mercury, Shoe and Leather Re-
porter and at Tyrrell's on Fulton street.
He was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery.
WILLIAM A. PRATT— Born Apalachi-
cola, Fla., Nov. 22, 1867 ; learned printing
in Palatka, Fla., beginning in 1877;
worked on Providence Journal in 1887
and applied for membership in No. 33 in
that year, but left the city before it was
acted upon ; is now member of Washing-
ton Typographical Union, No. 101, and
employed in Government Printing Office.
JOHN P. PURCELL (Brockey )— Born
Hudson, N. Y., March 17, 1859 ; died at
the Union Printers' Home, Colorado
Springs, Col., Oct. 28, 1901, having been
admitted from Newark, N. J. ; learned
printing in Hudson, N. Y., and Milwau-
kee, Wis. ; was admitted to Providence
Union by card at the May meeting, 1888 ;
had travelled extensively in the United
States.
Initiated Into Providence Union on Dates
Named:
FRANK H. PARKER, Oct. 30, 1892 ;
January, 1899.
CHARLES A. PEABODY, Nov. 9, 1872.
JAMES PHILLIPS, Dec. 18, 1892.
DANA W. PHIPPS, Feb. 28, 1892.
ARTHUR K. PIERCE, July 27, 1890.
LELAND H. PLAISTED, Aug. 13, 1864.
FRED POLOQUIN, April 29, 1888.
EDWARD PORTER, Jan. 31, 1892.
BARNARD M. PRESCOTT, Sept. 11,
1869.
NELSON PURNELL, June 26, 1892;
also by card July 30, 1893.
Admitted by Card on Dates Named:
B. F. PAGE, July 13, 1872.
BURTON S. PALMER, September, 1883.
ROBERT PARRY, March, 1885.
GEORGE PERRYMAN, July 13, 1872.
A. S. PETERSON, December, 1888.
C. F. PHILLIPS, Nov. 12, 1884.
A. H. PIERCE, April 23, 1892.
FRANK A. PIKE, July, 1887..
ISAAC D. PORTER, May 14, 1870
JAMES POWERS, March, 1885.
J. PULLEN, May 31, 1891.
Names Found in Directory:
HARRISON G. O. PARKS — 1828 and
1830.
MATTHEW S. PATTERSON — 1850 to
1855. Worked at 15 Market square.
DAVID S. PEARCE — 1853 to 1856.
Worked at 15 Market square and at H.
H. Brown's.
CYRUS W. PRATT — 1841 to 1844.
HENRY PRATT— 1830 to 1836.
Printers Known to Have Worked Here:
T. PETERSON — 1851 worked on Jour-
nal.
JOHN W. PATTON — 1891-'92 on Eve-
ning Telegram.
EDWARD QUINN — Died Boston, Mass..
and his death was announced by J. W.
Douglass of that city in the 1885 conven-
tion of the I. T. U. He had represented
Worcester Union in that body in 1876 ;
initiated into Providence Union April 9,
1870, and admitted by card at the meet-
ing of April 8, 1883 : was then assistant
foreman of the Journal. During the Civil
war he served in a Massachusetts regi-
ment.
ROBERT QUINN (b)— Died at the R.
I. Hospital July 13, 1903, a few minutes
after being admitted to that institution.
He had probably been overtaken by sick-
ness in the office of the Narragansett
Printing Co. on the llth (Saturday) and
had not been discovered until Monday. At
his lodgings directions were found telling
how to communicate with relatives and
with Hartford lodge, No. 88, A. F. and A.
M., Hartford, Conn. He had been a well-
known printer, brother of Edward Quinn ;
had been foreman of the Hartford Times
THE JOURNEYMEN
LXXI
and night foreman of the Providence
Journal, succeeding E. B. Rose in that
position ; was initiated into Providence
Union April 5, 1888.
Initiated Into Providence Typographical
Union on Date Named:
GUSTAVUS P. QUIMBY, Dec. 12, 1868.
Admitted by Card on Date Named:
M. E. QUINN, Sept. 30, 1883:
Printers Known to Have Worked Here:
JAMES QUINN — 1860 (Union list).
ROBERT QUINN (a) — Suicided (Union
list, 187 — ).
FRANCIS M. RAFTERY — Born Taun-
ton, Mass., Nov. 9, 1872 ; learned print-
ing in the office of Cashman & Keating,
Boston, Mass. ; worked in Providence
since 1901, and was admitted to the
Union Feb. 24 of that year; now em-
ployed on the Tribune.
EDWIN F. RANAGAN — Born Somer-
ville, Mass. ; learned printing in office
of Boston Herald, beginning in 1886; ad-
mitted to Providence Union by card Sep-
tember, 1888 ; worked in this city on the
Telegram and Dispatch until 1889 ; now
employed on the Boston Globe.
ALBERT L. RANDALL — Born Ken-
tucky in 1853 ; learned printing in the
West ; initiated into Providence Union
Dec. 27, 1885 ; President of the Union in
1889; worked on the Journal while in
this city ; located in Washington, D. C.,
since 1889.
CHARLES W. RANDALL — Born Jef-
fersonville, Ind., Jan. 28, 1849 ; learned
printing in Cincinnati, Ohio, beginning in
1859, when about nine years old; initi-
ated into Providence Union April 15,
1883 ; worked in various cities of the
United States east of St. Louis.
GEORGE S. RAWCLIFFE — Born
Wrentham, Mass., June 30, 1860 ; began
to learn printing in Providence in 1895
and worked nine years at the business ;
established the Industrial Printing Co. at
18 College street during the winter of
1897-'98; took a partner in August, 1903,
and added a gold stamping and badge-
making department ; sold his interest to
George H. Brown July 20, 1904 ; was
travelling salesman in 1904.
JOHN C. READ — Died Providence
June 12, 1873, in the 24th year of his
age. He was initiated into Providence
Typographical Union Aug. 13, 1870. His
funeral took place Sunday, June 16, and
was attended to the Jefferson Street
Baptist Church by an escort of the United
Train of Artillery of 40 men, under com-
mand of Col. Oscar Lapham. A large
delegation of printers, under the marshal-
ship of John H. Porthouse, joined the
funeral procession at the church. Inter-
ment was at North Burial Ground.
ROBERT NEWTON READ — Born
Lonsdale, R. I., July 4, 1860 ; learned
printing at John F. Greene's, Canal street,
beginning in 1879 ; initiated into Provi-
dence Union April 24, 1887 ; worked at
Snow & Farnham's, Telegram and Jour-
nal ; with Aldrich-Eldredge Co., whole-
sale grocers, in 1904.
JOHN J. REARDON — Born 1876;
learned printing on the Webster (Mass.)
Times, beginning in 1890; initiated into
Providence Union Dec. 30, 1900.
OSCAR H. REDMAN — Born Wellend-
port, Ont, Canada, July 24, 1878; learned
printing with Chronicle Printing Co., in
Willimantic, Conn., beginning in 1894 ;
joined Pawtucket Union in 1901 ; admit-
ted by card to Providence Union May
28, 1905 ; worked on the Telegram, Trib-
une and Evening Bulletin until incapaci-
tated by sickness in 1907 ; now located in
Willimantic, Conn.
C. F. REED — Born 1869 ; learned print-
ing in office of Reed & Stickney, Wal-
tham, Mass., beginning in 1895 ; worked
in North Attleboro, Mass. ; initiated into
Providence Union Nov. 29, 1903.
L. FRANCIS REENEY — Born Lowell,
Mass., May 10, 1874 ; learned printing
trade in office of Providence Telegram,
beginning in 1890; initiated into Provi-
dence Typographical Union Feb. 25, 1900 ;
now employed on the Evening Bulletin.
NICHOLAS W. REES — Born Pembroke
Dock, South Wales, Great Britain, in
1865; began to learn printing in 1882, at
J. A. & R. A. Reid's ; has worked in
Providence since, at Angell & Co.'s and
What Cheer Print; initiated into Provi-
dence Union Nov. 28, 1886; held the
offices of Vice President, treasurer and
recording secretary in that organization
and was delegate to the N. E. Typo-
graphical Union and Allied Trades' con-
vention at New Bedford in 1895 ; now
employed at the post office as letter
carrier.
JAMES ALLAN REID — Born Provi-
dence Jan. 5, 1848 ; began to learn print-
ing in September, 1861, in the office of
the Bristol Phoenix and finished his ap-
prenticeship in Providence with A. Craw-
ford Greene ; initiated into Providence
Union Dec. 9, 1865 ; worked as a jour-
neyman in this city, Hartford and New
York ; was senior member of the print-
ing firm of J. A. & R. A. Reid, estab-
lished in this city in 1874 and continued
until 1894. There is no record of a labor
dispute occurring in that office. Mr.
Reid's present home is in St. Louis, Mo.
ROBERT ALLAN REID— Born Provi-
dence May 5, 1851 ; learned printing at
Hammond, Angell & Co.'s, beginning in
1867 ; initiated into Providence Union Feb.
11, 1871; junior member of firm of J. A.
& R. A. Reid for 19 years; also worked
in Chicago and Philadelphia. Since the
LXXII
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
dissolution of the Reid partnership he
has resided in Boston, and has continued
in the publishing business.
JAMES REVENS — Born parish of Tal-
low, county Waterford, Ireland, in 1840 ;
initiated into Providence Union Aug. 14,
1869, and worked at printing in this city
in the Evening Press job office, at A.
Crawford Greene's and on the Evening
Telegram ; he also worked at the business
in Boston; he died here July 17, 1893.
CHARLES W. REXFORD — Was initi-
ated into Providence Union June 13, 1863 ;
he served in Co. G, 15th U. S. Inf., in
1865, and was discharged for disability
at Lookout Mountain, Tennessee.
CLARENCE N. REYNOLDS — Born
Troy, N. Y., Dec. 3, 1859 ; learned print-
ing in New Lebanon, N. Y., in office of
Samuel J Tilden ; was initiated into Provi-
dence Union Oct. 25, 1903, and worked in
this city for a short time ; located in
Boston in 1906.
MILTON M. REYNOLDS — Born Davis-
ville, R. I., April 19, 1851 ; began work-
ing at printing in Providence April 1,
1870, in the office of Marcus B. Young,
then located at 33 Westminster street.
The same year his father (A. S. Rey-
nolds) purchased the business. In 1871,
because of ill-health, the latter gave the
plant to his son and George F. Mackin-
non. Changes in the building caused the
removal of the office to Harkness court.
In October, 1873, Peter J. Trumpler en-
tered the partnership, making it Rey-
nolds, Mackinnon & Trumpler, and the
office was again moved, this time to 9
Calendar street. Here the firm printed
the "Christian Union" for a man named
Nickerson, and the "Daily Chronicle" for
James Hanrahan. In 1875 another mov-
ing carried the office to Washington row,
where the Journal office formerly had
been. Here the Sunday Dispatch, the
first Sunday newspaper published in
Providence, was printed in its most pros-
perous days. In 1878 the office reverted
to Mr. M. M. Reynolds, who moved it
to East Greenwich and continued to con-
duct it there until February, 1884, when
it passed into other hands. Mr. Reynolds
took up his residence in Davisville and
for a time was interested in woolen manu-
facturing there. He is now in business
in Providence, but resides in Davisville.
PHILIP RICHARDS — Born Montreal,
Canada ; learned printing in Fall River
Mass. ; admitted to Providence Union by
card April, 1900, and worked in this city
on the Journal and News until summer of
1904, when he went to Montreal in search
of health.
HERBERT SELLER RICHARDSON —
Born Leeds, England, April 10, 1872 ;
learned printing in offices of A. Sutcliffe
Co., Henry Doyle and F. F. Sibley & Co.,
Pawtucket ; worked in Providence since
1901 ; was admitted to the Union by card
May 25, 1902 ; now employed at Frank-
lin Press Co.
JOHN W. RILEY — Born England July
5, 1875 ; learned printing with J. A. &
R. A. Reid in Providence, and worked in
that office and at E. A. Johnson's from
1892 to 1900 ; now located in New York
city.
STEPHEN J. RILEY— Born Provi-
dence Sept. 17, 1870 ; learned printing in
office .of Whittemore & Colburn, begin-
ning in 1885 ; initiated into Providence
Union ; worked in Central Falls at E. L.
Freeman's and in this city on the Jour-
nal ; now employed on Evening Tribune
as linotype operator.
WILLIAM H. RINGWOOD — Born Chat-
ham, N. Y., June 21, 1874 ; learned print-
ing in office of Chatham Republican, be-
ginning in 1890 ; initiated into Albany
(N. Y.) Union in 1895; joined Providence
Union by card June 26, 1904 ; was em-
ployed at Snow & Farnham's.
THOMAS EDWARD RITCHIE — Born
South Andover, Mass., Aug. 26, 1873 ;
learned printing with Angell & Co., this
city, beginning in 1885 ; initiated into
Providence Union April 5, 1888; at the
latter date the owners of the Morning
Dispatch had acquired the business of
Angell & Co. and were issuing the paper
from No. 5 Washington row. In 1890 Mr.
Ritchie enlisted in the U. S. Army. His
regiment, the 18th Infantry, was sta-
tioned at Fort Clark, Texas. During the
winter of 1891 his company was as-
signed the duty of breaking up a noto-
rious gang of cattle thieves, located on
the Rio Grande. After being honorably
discharged from the 18th Infantry he
enlisted with the 1st H. A., stationed at
Fort Barrancas, Fla., where he served
his term as a bugler. He served through-
out the entire Spanish-American war and
was in the battles that took place at
Guantonamo, Cuba. In 1899 Mr. Ritchie
returned to printing and has since worked
in Newport on the Herald, in Attleboro
on the Sun and on the Providence Eve-
ning Tribune.
CARL CONRAD ROBB — Born Copen-
hagen, Denmark, June 11, 1865 ; learned
printing in that city and has worked at
the business in 16 of the principal cities
of Europe, viz. : Copenhagen, Christiania,
Stockholm, Hamburg, Berlin, Dresden,
Leipzic, Frankfort-on-the-Main, Antwerp,
Zurich, Vienna, St. Petersburg, Paris,
Aberdeen and London ; admitted by card
to Providence Union Jan. 27, 1901-;
worked on the Evening Bulletin for sev-
eral years ; now a master printer
HARRY WOLCOTT ROBBINS— Born
Vershire, Vt, Jan 31, 1883; learned print-
ing at Ballston Spa, N Y., beginning in
1897 ; was student at Brown University
and also worked in Providence in 1906-
'07 ; now at Saratoga Springs, N. Y.
THE JOURNEYMEN
LXXIII
ALEXANDER MARSHALL ROBERT-
SON— Born Fall River, Mass., June 5,
1836 ; served a five-year apprenticeship
in the office of the Fall River Monitor, of
which Henry Pratt was proprietor, be-
ginning July 14, 1850 ; commenced work
in Providence in July, 1856, "in the job
and book office of Knowles, Anthony &
Co., located in the Washington building,
on Washington row, on the floor above
that occupied by the Journal newspaper,
to which establishment it had formerly
wholly belonged, but then only partially."
Since then he has worked in most of the
book and job offices of the city, and for
a number of years on the Evening Bul-
letin. Mr. Robertson is an 1857 charter
member of Providence Typographical
Union, was Vice President in 1869 and
President in 1877 and 1878. He has been
a resident of Lakewood, R. I., for a num-
ber of years.
GEORGE ROBERTSON — Born Smith-
field, R. I., July 10, 1828, and died of
softening of the brain in a Worcester
insane asylum Aug. 16, 1888 ; he began
to learn printing in 1842 in the office of
the Fall River Monitor (Tripp & Pratt) ;
was initiated into Providence Union Aug.
10, 1867 ; worked on the Worcester Spy,
Woonsocket Patriot, New Bedford Stand-
ard and Fall River News. In 1859 he
started the Fall River Journal, a weekly
paper, issued "simultaneously in Rhode
Island and Massachusetts," and in 1878
the New Bedford Signal, which he con-
tinued until his health failed. He was
brother of Wm. S. Robertson, publisher
of the Fall River Monitor, and of A. M.
Robertson of Lakewood.
J. W. ROBERTSON (Cigarette Bill) —
Born San Francisco Oct. 25 ,1855 ; learned
printing at Harper Bros., New York, be-
ginning in 1868; worked in Boston and
New York for many years; admitted by
card to Providence Union June 26, 1904.
CHARLES H. ROBINSON — Born
Greenville, O., Aug. 25, 1858 ; learned
printing in Washington, D. C., beginning
in 1875 ; admitted to Providence Union
by card at the June meeting, 1888, and
worked in this city during that summer ;
now located in New York city, holding
card 2632, and is a member of St. John's
M. E. Church
GEORGE W. ROBINSON — Born
Waterford, Ireland, April 26, 1865 ; ap-
prenticed Sept. 3, 1877, in Waterford;
initiated in 1884 into Society of Com-
positors of Dublin, Ireland ; worked in
Providence in 1891 for a month, and
again in 1905 at Livermore & Knight's ;
admitted to Providence Union at August
meeting, 1905 ; worked in various Boston
and Brockton offices previous to 1905.
NELSON J. RODGERS — Barn Balti-
more, Md., Oct. 19, 1860 ; learned print-
ing in Baltimore, beginning in 1876 ; ad-
mitted by card to Providence Union July,
1886; worked on Journal; now employed
on Boston Globe.
JOHN ROGERS — Born Glasgow, Scot-
land, June 17, 1857 ; learned printing in
office of Eastern Chronicle, published at
New Glasgow, Nova Scotia ; came to
Providence in 1875 and began work on
the Journal ; has since worked on Tele-
gram, Star and Press and in most of the
job and book offices of the city ; initiated
into No. 33 April 15, 1883.
CHARLES ROLFE — Born England in
1841 ; he learned printing in that coun-
try ; came to Providence in the summer
of 1871, depositing in No. 33 Aug. 12 of
that year a travelling card from the
London Society of Compositors, and began
work on the Star and Press ; he also
occasionally worked on the Herald, and
in the fall accepted a regular situation
on the Journal, which he retained until
March, 1872, when he went to the Boston
Globe, under the foremanship of Robert
P. Boss. Mr. Rolfe has been with the
Globe ever since and is now its night
foreman,
EDWARD P. ROLLINS — Died Hart-
ford, Conn., Feb. 19, 1903, aged 62 years.
He was initiated into Providence Union
Sept. 11, 1869, and his card was received
at the first meeting of the reorganized
Union, April 8, 1883 ; had worked in many
cities of the United States ; was Presi-
dent of Columbus (Ohio) Union, No. 5.
Burial was in the printers' lot at Hartford.
HUGH ROONEY — Died Hartford, Conn. ;
he was admitted by card to Providence
Union at the November meeting, 1886.
ALFRED J. ROSE (son of E. B. Rose)
— Born Providence in 1869 ; after gradu-
ating from high school he began work in
the proofroom of the Journal in 1888, and
later learned to operate a linotype ; joined
No. 33 June 30, 1895 ; in 1907 he estab-
lished a jobbing business in jewelry which
has been successful.
EDWARD B. ROSE — Born East Green-
wich, R. I., in 1842 ; he attended the pub-
lic schools in Bristol and began to learn
printing in the office of the Phoenix of
that town in 1857 ; on becoming a jour-
neyman he worked in Fall River, Mass.,
on the News ; in Dover, N. H., on the
Gazette, and in Providence on the Post
and Evening Press, joining No. 33 Jan.
11, 1862. In 1863 he enlisted in the navy
and was appointed hospital steward on
the sloop-of-war Vandalia ; he resigned
in 1864, shipped again as landsman, was
promoted to doctor's steward, and served
until July 11, 1865. He then returned to
the printing trade and Providence, and
became foreman of the Herald. In 1872,
when the Boston Globe was started, he
accepted the position of assistant fore-
man on that paper. Before leaving the
Herald he was presented with a solid gold
LXXIV
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
chain and a Masonic keystone with the
Masonic emblems of the various degrees
he had passed through. In 1873 he re-
turned to the foremanship of the Herald,
and in the spring of that year, when the
paper suspended, he went to the Journal.
In three weeks he was made assistant
foreman and later foreman, holding the
latter position about 16 years. In 1889,
on account of sickness, he became a day
assistant, which position he now holds.
In the 34 years of his work on the Journal
he has handled nearly all the advertise-
ments that have been published in that
paper, especially the "legals," and with
very few errors. Mr. Rose is an honor-
ary member of St. John's Lodge, No. 1,
A. F. and A. M., of Portsmouth, N H ;
Providence Royal Arch Chapter of Ma-
sons ; Providence Lodge, K. of H. ; Cal-1
vary Commandery, K. T. ; Westminster
Lodge of Odd Fellows ; honorary member
of Daughters of Rebekah Lodge.
LESTER E. ROSS — Was admitted by
card to Providence Union July 9, 1870;
he was publisher of the Sun in 1876, when
it became a daily.
ARTHUR H. ROSSALL — Born Roch-
dale, England, May 8, 1870; served his
apprenticeship with his uncle, John R.
Cort, on the Webster Weekly Times ; af-
terward worked in Southbridge and Attle-
boro, Mass. ; "made up" the first edition
of the Attleboro Daily Sun ; initiated into
Providence Union Aug. 31, 1890, and
worked in this city on the Telegram until
the lockout on that paper during the fore-
manship of Clarke, when he refused to
surrender his Union card as the price of
retaining a situation ; went to Boston and
held cases from life to death of the Bos-
ton News. In 1894 he returned to Web-
ster and was editor of the Times for six
years; in 1890 returned to Boston and
worked on the Journal, where he learned
to operate the linotype ; soon after he
received a civil service appointment for
the Government Printing Office at Wash-
ington, where he is now located.
CHARLES J. ROTHEMICH — Born
Providence in 1880; learned trade of lino-
type machinist on Evening Telegram, be-
ginning in 1896; initiated into Providence
Union Aug. 26, 1900; at present employed
on the News-Democrat.
THOMAS M. ROUNDS — Died Provi-
dence April 22, 1892, in the 74th year of
his age ; he learned printing in the office
of Knowles & Vose, and was a journey-
man on the Journal in 1845-'47. Member
of Common Council of the city of Provi-
dence from the Fourth Ward 1867 to 1869
and in 1876; from the Sixth Ward 1877
to 1882 and 1886 to 1888.
ANGELO RUFFO — Born Naples, Italy,
April 13, 1864 ; learned printing in New
York city, beginning in 1896; published
the Harlem Courier, an Italian weekly
paper, in New YorK for nine years ; also
in the same city L'Araldo Italiano, daily ;
worked in Providence on 1'Eco ; admitted
to Providence Union in January, 1906 ;
now a master printer in this city.
ANNA RUSHLOW (Miss) — Born 1877;
learned printing at Phillip & Casey's,
Rouse's Point, N. Y., beginning in 1891 ;
initiated into Lowell Union, No. 310 ; ad-
mitted to Providence Union by card Feb.
7, 1904.
THOMAS RUSHTON — Born Coventry,
England, May 19, 1832. When a boy of
9, he came to New York with his father,
where they remained a year. He dis-
tinctly remembered seeing President Tyler
and the ceremonies attending the intro-
duction of the Croton water into New
York. Returning to England, at the age
of 14 he began to learn printing. At the
end of seven years he became a journey-
man and also a freeman of his native city.
That is to say, anyone who has served
seven years at a trade, appearing before
the mayor of the city and having the fact
certified to by his employer, is made a
freeman of the city with certain special
privileges. Thus at the time of his death
Mr. Rushton was nearly eligible to a pen-
sion of $1.50 a week. Working at his
trade for a time in England, he again
came to America, this time settling in
Providence in 1863, where he worked on
the Press until 1868, when he returned to
the old country. After a year's absence
he returned to Providence, working on the
Press again, and later on the Star. In
1872 he removed to Boston, finding em-
ployment on the Globe. In 1881 he took
a vacation of six months, travelling in
England and on the continent. He then
returned to his work on the Globe, and
the rest of his life was uneventful. In 1898
his health failed perceptibly, and after a
short illness he passed away on Nov. 19,
1900, at the age of 68 years and 6 months.
He left a widow and two children. One
of them, Thomas Rushton, is employed on
the Globe ; the other is the wife of R. W.
Townsend, also an employe of the Globe.
While in Providence Mr. Rushton was a
frequent contributor in prose and verse to
the Evening Press of that city.
JAMES H. RUSSELL — Born Providence
Jan. 14, 1859 ; learned printing at office
of Franklin Printing Co., beginning in
1876 ; was foreman of the Telegram until
the strike in 1889 ; foreman of the Paw-
tucket Times for five years ; worked sev-
eral years on the Weekly Visitor ; now
assistant foreman of Worcester Telegram.
He was initiated into Providence Union
April 8, 1883, and has held many import-
ant offices in it, including that of I. T. U.
delegate in 1888.
JOHN F. RUSSELL — Born Providence
Aug. 25, 1886 ; learned printing on Eve-
ning Bulletin, beginning March 10, 1902 ;
initiated into Providence Union at the
March meeting, 1906 ; now employed on
Evening Bulletin
THE JOURNEYMEN
LXXV
E. J. RYAN — Born Hartford, Conn.,
July 10, 1845 ; learned printing in that
city; worked in Providence in 1867; was
bankman on the Hartford Post in 1905.
GEORGE F. RYAN — Born New York
city in 1846 ; began to work at printing
in Warren, R. I. ; initiated into Providence
Typographical Union Nov. 11, 1865 ; since
1868 has been in the employ of the Rum-
ford Chemical Works as foreman of its
printing department and has superin-
tended its growth from the beginning. It
is now probably one of the largest private
printing plants in this country.
JAMES S. RYAN (Big Injun) — Born
Vergennes, Vt, Feb. 28, 1833 ; learned
printing in the office of the Vergennes
Vermonter, beginning Nov. 9, 1848 ; initi-
ated into Providence Union Oct. 10, 1868;
worked in this city from that date to
1876 at various times; was located in
Hartford, Conn., in 1904. Mr. Ryan writes :
"Can't think of any reminiscences ; all old
stories, some true and some lies, but told
so often I most believe some of them
myself."
JOHN CROIL RYAN — Died Boston
May 7, 1901, aged 53 years. He was
born in Montreal, where he learned print-
ing. He came to Providence, worked on
the Journal, and was a member of No.
33 previous to 1877 ; later he worked on
the Star and Press and for a time at
Gorham's Silver Works ; he had worked
some years in Boston just previous to his
death.
MARVIN M. RYAN — Was drowned at
Bullock's Point Sunday, Aug. 16, 1874,
He was of a sailing party of three, and
about 5 :30 p. m. went swimming alone.
He swam under water a short distance,
came up and struck out for the boat.
As he neared it, it was noticed that he
was looking very badly in the face, and
one of his companions, asking him if he
was tired, reached out an oar for him to
take hold of. The oar touched his shoul-
der, when he pushed it away with his
hand, and, turning around as if to swim
out again, he sank and did not come up.
His companions made no attempt to re-
cover the body, but brought his clothing
to the Third Police Station in this city
and reported the fatality. The body was
found Aug. 19 and brought to Providence
by friends, who attended to the burial.
Mr. Ryan was born in Charlestown, Mass.,
in 1821. He was initiated into Providence
Union April 18, 1857. He possessed abili-
ties as a compiler of almanacs and as a
writer that made him very useful outside
the lines of his trade. In this city he
worked chiefly at A. Crawford Greene's.
He served in a Massachusetts regiment
in the Civil war.
WILLIAM H. RYAN — Born East Provi-
dence Sept. 6, 1876; learned printing with
Marion Printing Co., beginning Oct. 1,
1891; initiated into Providence Union Dec.
29, 1901.
VICTOR L. RYBERG — Born Providence
Dec. 11, 1886 ; learned printing with
Standard Printing Co., beginning in 1902 ;
joined effort for eight-hour day in April,
1906 ; now located in Providence.
Initiated Into Providence Union on Dates
Named:
JAMES T. RAFFERTY, March 26, 1893.
Killed on railroad near Pittsburg, Pa. ;
learned trade on Dispatch and Journal.
GEORGE H. RAMSDEN, Dec. 3, 1884.
In New York city.
CHARLES RATTHIE, July 25, 1886.
IRA G. RAWSON, December, 1892.
JOHN C. RAWSON, May 9, 1868.
N. L. REEVES, May 9, 1868.
JOHN F. REILLY, Nov. 8, 1862.
NICHOLAS J. REILLY, July 26, 1903.
PATRICK REILLY (stereotyper), Aug.
25, 1889. Died in this city.
WILLIAM H. REILLY, Jan. 25, 1885.
FRANCIS W. RHODES, Dec. 9. 1865.
B. J. RING, April 5, 1888. In Colorado.
WILLIAM RILEY, Feb. 25, 1900.
GEORGE J. F. ROBINSON, Dec. 11,
1869.
THOMAS C. ROBINSON, April 5, 1888.
JOHN ROGERS (b), Jan. 29, 1893.
PETER RONAN, May 4, 1857.
EDWIN W. ROPER, May 27, 1883.
R. W. ROXBURGH, Oct. 29, 1887 ; also
March 31, 1901.
WILLIAM H. RUSH, July 5, 1885.
Learned trade on Evening Telegram.
MARTIN RYAN, Oct. 14, 1864.
Admitted by Card on Dates Named:
GEORGE F. RAND, Aug. 27, 1884.
FRED E. RAUFF, July 28, 1895.
L. W. REED, July, 1888.
L. H. REESE, from Norwich, Nov. 13,
1869.
THOMAS REESE, May 10, 1873.
DANIEL REGAN, May, 1887.
THOMAS E. REGAN, Aug. 10, 1872.
DAVID REID, March, 1886 ; August, 1888.
BERNARD REYNOLDS, member in
1877.
JAMES W. REYNOLDS, March 27, 1904.
C. W. RIANHARDT, Sept. 30, 1900.
STEPHEN RICE, Sept. 14, 1872.
LEE RILEY, Nov. 30, 1890. Swift lino-
type operator. In New York city in 1907.
ED. P. ROACH, June, 1888.
JAMES ROACH, Dec. 28, 1890; Feb.
27, 1898
C. W. ROBINSON, Sept. 14, 1872.
GEORGE D. ROBINSON, Sept. 14, 1872.
J. H. B. ROBINSON, November, 1888.
JOHN ROBINSON ("Shorty Rob"),
April 22, 1883 ; was assistant foreman of
Journal.
JOHN E. ROBERTS, March, 1889.
C. A. ROCHFORT, November, 1886.
G. H. RODDY, July 1, 1883.
JENNIE ROGERS (Miss), Nov. 30, 1902.
ROBERT W. ROGERS, July 9, 1870.
CHARLES ROSS, Sept. 27, 1891.
J. B. ROSS, Feb. 27, 1884 ; worked on
Journal.
THOMAS J. RUSSELL, Feb. 28, 1892.
LXXVI
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
Names Found in Directory:
JOHN RANDALL/ — 1828 worked at
Patriot office; 1830 at Journal office; 1832
at 25 Market square.
WILLIAM READ — 1832 at 12 Market
square.
JOSIA.H W. ROBINSON, JR.— 1859.
JACOB. ROTHERMICH — 1859.
GEORGE SADLIER — Born New York
city Aug. 17, 18-57 ; learned printing in
Middletown, Conn. ; worked in Providence
in 1885 on the Morning Star; admitted to
No. 33 by card in May, 1885; was em-
ployed on the New York American and
Journal in 1904.
CHARLES A. SALISBURY — Born Paw-
tucket, R. I., July 12, 1877 ; learned print-
ing on the Pawtucket Post, beginning in
1893; worked in Boston, New York, Wor-
cester and Brockton ; admitted to Provi-
dence Union by card March 25, 1906 ; now
linotype operator on Providence Journal.
HENRY R. SAWYER — Died Providence
Sept. 8, 1898. His age was not known,
but he .was one of the oldest printers of
the city at the time. He was a native
of London, England. When a boy he
came to this country and at first was a
whaleman, sailing from New Bedford. He
then learned printing, working in Paw-
tucket, and since 1847 in Providence. In
1857 he was foreman of A. Crawford
Greene's office, and that year was a
charter member of Providence Union, re-
taining his membership until he became
superanuated. He set the first stickful
of type for the Evening Press, and worked
in that office from 1859 until 1886. For
the last 12 years of his life he worked
for Snow & Farnham.
ORIN B. SAXTON (printer) — Formerly
of Providence ; died at the Massachusetts
General Hospital. — Rhode Island Ameri-
can, Jan. 11, 1825. He was married in
Salem Jan. 2, 1819, to Merriam S. Eld-
redge.
A. R. SAYLES — Born 1874; learned
"printing with F. H. Townsend in this city ;
located in Redlands, Cal., in 1905.
THOMAS A. SCALES — Born New Bed-
ford, Mass., Dec. 23, 1879; learned print-
ing trade in the Mercury job office in that
city, beginning in 1893 ; admitted to Provi-
dence Union April 29, 1900, by card ; has
worked in Providence and Fall River ;
now located in New Bedford.
JAMES P. SCANLON — Born Providence
Nov. 23, 1874 ; learned printing in office of
Evening Bulletin ; initiated into Provi-
dence Union April 26, 1896 ; now linotype
operator on Attleboro Sun.
DENNIS J. SCANNEL — Died Boston,
Mass., Feb. 10, 1876 ; initiated into Provi-
dence Union Sept. 9, 1865 ; its President
in 1866; charter member of Worcester
(Mass.) Union and its first President;
I T. U. delegate from Boston in 1872 at
Richmond, Va.
PAUL A. SCHROEN — Born Baltimore,
Md., Sept. 6, 1869 ; learned printing in
office of John S. Bridges & Co., Balti-
more, Md., beginning in 1884 ; came to
Providence in September, 1902, deposit-
ing a card in No. 33 Feb. 22, 1903 ; before
coming to this city worked three years in
the Government Printing Office in Wash-
ington, and about two years in Chicago,
Philadelphia and other places ; now fore-
man Capitol Press.
C. SCHUBARTH — Initiated into Provi-
dence Union April 18, 1857 ; his name ap-
pears in the Directory of 1853.
ALBERT A. SCOTT — Died in the Met-
ropolitan Hospital, New York city, June
27, 1902, aged 61 years; he was a mem-
ber of Providence Union previous to April, •
1857, and worked on the Post, of which
he was for a time foreman. Later he
was a partner with Noah D. Payne as
publisher of the Herald, the successor of
the Post. About 1870 he went to New
York city, and for years was employed
on the Sun.
EDWIN TALLMAN SCOTT — Died
Providence Sept. 20, 1894, in his 75th
year. From 1841 to 1844 he followed the
printing trade; 1850-'59 he kept an
apothecary store at 454 North Main
street; 1859 until the time of his death
he was a physician.
WALTER SCOTT — Born Cumberland,
R. I., Nov. 28, 1841 ; learned presswork
in Journal office, beginning in 1861, when
there was but one single-cylinder Hoe in
the pressroom ; also worked on the Post,
Evening Press, Herald and Morning Star ;
was initiated into Providence Union Dec.
9, 1871, and later on the honorary list.
Mr. Scott was for many years caterer to
the newspaper offices, and, to use his own
words, "Am a lively old cuss yet." His
lunch wagon was a fixture in front of the
Barton block, when the Journal was
printed there, and George W. Danielson,
after his labors on the paper, often rode
to his home with Mr. Scott.
WILLIAM SCOTT (a) — Born Carlisle,
England, Sept. 8, 1869; learned printing
in Providence, beginning in 1887 ; initi-
ated into Providence Union May 26, 1889,
as an apprentice member. While working
in the Record job office in Norwich, Conn., '
he won a prize for artistic job work,
offered by the Inland Printer of Chicago.
The entries included English and Ameri-
can printers. Now employed on Norwich
(Conn.) Record.
WILLIAM SCOTT (b) — Born Hawick,
Scotland, where he also learned the print-
ing trade ; initiated into Providence Union
Feb. 24, 1901 ; now employed on the
Tribune.
FRANK HOPKINS SEARS — Born New
York State Aug. 21, 1855 ; learned print-
ing on newspapers in Montgomery and
Newburgh, N. Y., beginning in 1869; ad-
mitted to Providence Union by card Oct.
THE JOURNEYMEN
LXXVII
12, 1874 ; worked in this city about seven
years, on the Journal, Bulletin, Press and
Star; went West in the fall of 1881, and
Dec. 19 of that year published one num-
ber of the Waverly Enterprise in Waverly,
Coffey Co., Kas. ; went into cattle raising
business and has not worked at printing
since 1881 ; was in cattle business at
Eudora, Kas., in 1904.
FRANK H. SEFFING — Born Sandusky,
Ohio, Jan. 22, 1864; learned printing in
office of Register of that city, beginning
Aug. 25, 1876; admitted to Providence
Union by card Aug. 27, 1884, and again
June 28, 1885; worked on the Star and
Telegram. After enumerating the names
of the men on those papers when he
visited Providence, Mr. Sefflng writes:
"The lapse of 20 years has not served to
efface from my mind the names of those
old stalwarts of No. 33, and the rides
'down the river* and the 'Rhode Island
clambakes' and the general good times to
be had in Providence." Mr. Seffing repre-
sented Cleveland Union at the Hot Springs
convention in 1907.
P. A. SEIBERLICH — Born Philadel-
phia, Pa., May 13, 1860; he learned the
printing trade in that city in the office
of John P. Murphy, beginning in 1875 ;
worked in Providence on the Evening
Telegram from 1894 to 1900, and has
"worked in nearly every large city in
the country ;" now located in New York.
THOMAS C. SHANLEY — Died Provi-
dence Jan. 24, 1885, aged 25 years; he
learned printing on the Evening Tele-
gram ; initiated into Providence Union
Sept. 30, 1883. The funeral was an elab-
orate one. The bearers were James H.
Russell, Joseph N. B. Meegan, James
Moore and George W. Flynn. Mass was
at the Pro-Cathedral.
JOHN A. SHANNON — Born May 10,
1863, in England ; he began to learn print-
ing in the office of the News at Law-
rence, Mass., finishing his apprenticeship
in Providence at A. N. Angell's ; he
worked in Providence from 1887 to 1904 ;
was an original member of the souvenir
committee ; now located in New York city.
C. C. SHARP — Born Brandt Co., Can-
ada, Nov. 13, 1861 ; he learned the print-
ing trade in Sarnio, Can., beginning in
1878; deposited a card in Providence
Union April 24, 1904. This was his first
trip to New England, although he had
travelled all over the United States, from
St. Paul, where he joined the Union in
1880, to New Orleans, and from San
Francisco to Providence ; employed on the
Telegram operating a linotype in 1904.
ARTHUR L. SHAW — Born 1862 ; learned
printing in Sackville, N. B., on the Chig-
necto Post, beginning in 1880 ; initiated
into Providence Union April 5, 1888.
CHARLES S. SHAW — Born Jersey
City, N. J., 1858; learned printing with
George A. Wilson in this city, beginning
in 1893 ; initiated into Providence Union
July 25, 1897 ; now in New York city.
EARL BRANDON SHAW— Born Au-
gusta, Me., in 1870; learned printing in
A. N. Angell's office in this city, begin-
ning in 1884 ; worked in Providence from
1884 to 1891 and from 1893 to 1901 ; ini-
tiated into No. 33 April 5, 1888 ; went to
San Francisco in 1891 for two years, and
was foreman of the Berkeley Daily Her-
ald, the first daily in Berkeley, Cal. Mr.
Shaw was one of five brothers, all print-
ers— Arthur, William, Charles and Frank,
the latter deceased.
FRANK N. SHAW — Born Hudson City,
N. Y., June 27, 1862; died in Providence
December, 1891 ; he learned printing in
Sackville, N. B., and Brooklyn, N. Y.,
beginning in 1879 ; worked in Providence
from 1883 to 1889, when he went to Chi-
cago and was foreman for some time for
Donahoe & Hennehery ; returned to Provi-
dence in 1891, and was foreman of J. C.
Monaghan's paper (Record) ; initiated
into No. 33 April 15, 1883.
JAMES C. SHAW — Born Providence
April 23, 1882 ; learned printing on the
Evening Telegram, beginning in 1899 ; ini-
tiated into Providence Union March 27,
1904.
WILLIAM S. SHAW— Born Bridgeport,
Conn., Sept. 17, 1864 ; learned printing at
Chatham, Meremichee Co., Can., begin-
ning in 1882; admitted to Providence
Union by card at the August meeting,
1889 ; now employed in this city.
D. J. SHEA — Born Halifax, N. S., Jan.
27, 1855; learned printing in that city,
beginning in 1869; worked in Providence
a short time in the spring of 1884 ; em-
ployed in New York city on the Journal
in 1904.
JOHN SHEEDY — Born Norwich, Conn.,
and learned printing there, beginning in
1870 ; initiated into Providence Union Nov.
9, 1873, and worked here several months
on the Morning Star ; now foreman New
London Morning Telegraph.
E. J. SHEPARD — Born Clifton Park,
N. Y., in 1857 ; learned printing in Sara-
toga, N. Y., beginning in 1872; admitted
to Providence Union by card July 28,
1896; worked in this city March to Sep-
tember, 1895, and July to October, 1896,
mostly on the Journal ; has been em-
ployed in the Government Printing Office
in Washington, D. C., since February,
1897 ; brother of G. E. Shepard.
GORDON E. SHEPARD — Born Jones-
ville, Saratoga Co., N. Y., in 1856; learned
printing in Saratoga, N. Y., beginning
Dec. 1, 1869 ; came to Providence July 5,
1875, and has worked on the Journal since
under five foremen, viz. : George Merrill,
E. B. Rose, John H. Milne, Robert Quinn
and William Carroll, only two of whom
LXXVIII
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
are now living ; has held a night "sit," a
day "sit," an "objectionable sit" for about
four years ; assistant "ad man" for four
years ; about one year on the old Mergen-
thaler linotypes, and since 1894 a "sit"
in the proofroom. He was initiated into
Providence Union April 15, 1883.
P. R. SHEPARDSON — Died Newark,
N. J., Nov. 2, 1906, aged 62 years; ad-
mitted to Providence Union by card July,
1888.
DANIEL A. SHERMAN — Born New-
port, R. I., in 1838; initiated into Provi-
dence Union March 11, 1865. In a move-
ment for a short workday at that time
he was secretary of the organization. He
is supposed to have died in one of the
towns in the southern part of the State.
HOWARD E. SHERMAN — Born Pru-
dence Island, R. I., Jan. 29, 1867; learned
printing in Bristol, R. I., beginning in
1880; initiated into Providence Union
Oct. 25, 1885 ; worked in Providence from
1884 to 1889 on the Evening Mail, a
campaign sheet, started in 1884; the R.
I. Democrat, Journal, Dispatch and Tele-
gram ; was in the lockout on the last named
paper in 1889 ; treasurer of No. 33 in
1888-'89 ; now employed in the Govern-
ment Printing Office at Washington.
WILLIAM E. SHIELDS — Born Coving-
ton, Ky., April 30, 1861; learned printing
in Wapakoneta, O., beginning in 1876 ;
worked in Providence in 1885 on the Tele-
gram and Star ; delegate to I. T. U. from
Washington Union, No. 101, to Boston in
1892, and afterward President of that
Union for two years ; now located in
Denver.
GEORGE M. SHIPP — Born May 12,
1850, at Hillsboro, O. ; learned printing on
the Gazette in that town, beginning in
1867 ; admitted to Providence Union by
card at the May meeting, 1887, and has
visited this city at various other times ;
Mr. Shipp is an extensive traveller, hav-
ing been in every city and town of any
importance this side of the Rocky Moun-
tains ; in New York city in 1907.
WILLARD F. SHOLES — Died Provi-
dence July 12, 1907, aged 45 years ;
learned printing in office of Charles L.
Stewart, Franklin, Mass. ; initiated into
Providence Union Oct. 25, 1903 ; em-
ployed in this city until his death ; par-
ticipated in the effort for the eight-hour
day irr 1906.
JOHN S. SIBLEY — Born Sutton, Mass.,
Sept. 8, 1823; died Pawtucket, R. L,
Sept. 13, 1883; learned printing in the
office of the Woonsocket Patriot, begin-
ning about 1845 ; in 1850 worked at Jour-
nal job office in this city and later was
a member of the firm. With Ansel D.
Nickerson he published the Pawtucket
Gazette and Chronicle after Jan. 1, 1870.
ORVILLE SIBLEY — Died Providence
July 30, 1875, aged 31 years. He was ini-
tiated into Providence Union Dec. 12, 1868.
JENNIE R. SILVER (Miss) — Initiated
into Providence Union March 27, 1892 ;
married and took withdrawal card ; after-
ward sent for working card from Canada.
WILLIAM SIMMONDS (b) — Born in
Newark, N. J., June 15, 1855 ; learned
printing trade in that city ; came to Provi-
dence in 1897 ; obligated in Providence
Union March 31, 1901 ; now foreman of
News-Democrat.
BROWN SIMMONS — Died July 14,
1844, in the 37th year of his age. In 1829,
in partnership with John W. D. Hall, he
published the Literary Subaltern and con-
tinued his connection with that paper until
Nov. 30, 1832, when it was sold to S. S.
Southworth.
JOHN SIMMONS — Died Providence
June 20, 1885, aged 76 years; from 1851
to 1853 he worked on the Journal.
AARON SIMONS — Died Providence
April 29, 1878, aged 60 years. He was
the son of Col. William Simons and
brother of William and Edward T. Si-
mons. At his brother William's death he
became publisher of the Republican Her-
ald and continued as such until 1853,
when that paper became the property of
the publishers of the Post (Sayles, Miller
& Simons). He was a practical printer,
as were also his two sons, Fred M. and
Arthur W. Simons.
ARTHUR W. SIMONS (son of Aaron)
— Died Providence June 20, 1904 ; he
learned the printing trade in his father's
office and was initiated into Providence
Union Jan. 13, 1866. In 1868 he became
teller of the Atlantic National Bank, re-
maining there until 1872, when he became
cashier of the Westminster Bank. He
held the latter position 32 years.
EDWARD T. SIMONS — Was found dead
in the Revere House July 28, 1887. He
was the son of William Simons and
brother of William and Aaron. He learned
printing in the office of the Republican
Herald, his father's paper, but did not
continue long at the business. For years
he was in the employ of Mr. Humphrey
of the City Hotel.
FREDERICK M. SIMONS (son of
Aaron) — Died Sharon, Mass., Jan. 15,
1906, where he had removed from Provi-
dence about six months before. Upon his
death the Simons family, for the first
time in 97 years, ceased to have a repre-
sentative in the printing trade in Rhode
Island. He was initiated into Providence
Union Oct. 10, 1868, and was its Vice
President in 1872. For many years he
was employed on the Evening Press and
later at Snow & Farnham's. Buried at
North Burial Ground.
THE JOURNEYMEN
LXXIX
WILLIAM SIMONS — Died Baltimore,
Md., March 6, 1845, in his 60th year. He
was returning from Richmond, Va., where
he had been to visit a daughter, when he
was stricken with a fatal illness. In 1799.
in his 13th year, he entered the office of
the Boston Palladium, then published by
Young & Minus, as an apprentice to the.
printing trade. In 1804 he became a
member of the Young Men's Democratic
Association of Boston. Soon after reach-
ing his majority he conducted a literary
periodical in Boston, entitled "The An-
thology," and subsequently a weekly po-
litical journel, called "The American
Detector." In March, 1809, he removed to
Newport, R. I., and on the 22d of the
same month he commenced the publica-
tion of the Rhode Island Republican,
which paper he continued to edit until
1825, when he removed to Providence and
assumed the duties of editor of the Provi-
dence Patriot. July 1, 1829, he became
editor of the Republican Herald, published
by his son William, and so continued until
his death. For some time he was. a mem-
ber of the General Assembly from New-
port. He was always a firm and con-
sistent Democrat. It was at his house
that Thomas W. Dorr was arrested Oct.
31, 1843. He had three sons, William,
Aaron and Edward T., all printers.
WILLIAM SIMONS, JR. — Died New-
port, Oct. 8, 1848, in the 37th year of his
age. He was the son of Col. William
Simons and brother of Aaron and Edward
T. Simons. In 1826 he published the
Providence Patriot. July 1, 1829, he ac-
quired control of the Republican Herald
and continued as its publisher until his
death. The Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows
of Rhode Island, at a special meeting held
Oct. 12, 1848, listened to a memorial ad-
dress in Mr. Simons's honor and passed
resolutions of regret at his decease.
THOMAS SIMPSON — Born Sag Har-
bor, Long Island, N. Y., Dec. 30, 1840; in
1855 he was apprenticed to Knowles, An-
thony & Co. for four years and worked
there until the breaking out of the Civil
war. After th'e war he worked in the
office of George H. Whitney, and later
was in the partnership of Miller, Gray &
Simpson. He was initiated into Provi-
dence Union June 9, 1866. Feb. 17, 1882,
he was appointed U.' S. Consul at Puerta
Plata, Dominican Republic, and held the
office until his death, which occurred in
New York city Sept. 3, 1907. In the Civil
war he served in the 1st Light Battery,
and also in Battery F, 1st R. I. L. A.,
rising to the rank of lieutenant. He was
captured by the rebels and confined in
Libby Prison and also at Danville, Va.
WILLIAM H. SLOCUM — Born Paw-
tuoket, R. I., Oct. 21, 1883 ; learned print-
ing in Providence Evening Telegram office,
beginning in 1901 ; initiated into Provi-
dence Union March 25, 1906 ; employed on
Attleboro Sun in 1907.
WILLIAM E. SMART — Born Searsport,
Me., March 26, 1854 ; learned stereotyp-
ing in Washington, D. C., beginning in
1881 ; foreman of Providence Journal
stereotype room from 1884 to 1904 ; initi-
ated into Providence Typographical Union
March 27, 1887 ; now located in Boston,
E. P. SMITH (Bone) — Born Nashville,
Tenn., and learned printing there, begin-
ning about 1860. He was admitted to
Providence Union by card Oct. 12, 1872,
and worked in this city on the Morning
Herald for about three months. He was
a noted "tourist" and staunch unionist.
He died in Memphis, Tenn., in the fall of
1883, and is buried in the printers' lot in
Elmwood Cemetery.
EDWARD S. SMITH — Died Worcester,
Mass., March 12, 1902, and is buried in
Hope Cemetery in that city. He worked
at printing in Providence in 1886, having
been admitted by card to No. 33 at the
January meeting in that year. He was a
member of Worcester Union at the time
of his death.
EDWIN W. SMITH — Born Nantucket,
Mass., March 27, 1864 ; learned the print-
ing trade in Nantucket, coming to Provi-
dence in September, 1882 ; here he worked
in the office of the Evening Press and
later on the Journal, where he has been
bank man for many years ; he was initi-
ated into Providence Union Feb. 27, 1884.
FRED SMITH — Born Reighley, York-
shire, England, June 13, 1873 ; learned
printing with Buker Publishing Co., begin-
ning in 1887 ; initiated into Providence
Union April 29, 1900 ; conducted a print-
ing office at 31 Broad street, this city, in
1904 ; now employed on Tribune.
HARRY F. SMITH— Born Wilmington,
Del., April 12, 1870 ; learned printing in
West Chester, Pa., on the News ; admit-
ted to Providence Union by card June
25, 1893, and worked on the Providence
Journal until 1895 ; employed on Boston
Herald in 1907.
JAMES A. SMITH — In 1832 was em-
ployed at Journal office; in 1844 he was
a pennypost and later was clerk in vari-
ous establishments until in 1857 he be-
came a partner in the clothing firm of
Sherman, Gardner & Smith at 4 South
Main street.
JOHN FRANCIS SMITH — Born Slaters-
ville, R. L, April 17, 1833 ; died Provi-
dence May 17, 1904. While a student in
the high school in Springfield, Mass., he
worked on the Republican as a reporter
and compositor. He afterward worked
on a newspaper in Dover, N. H. In 1862
he enlisted in the 14th Conn. Vols., but
was discharged in 1863 on account of
physical disability. After his recovery he
engaged in the printing business in
Worcester, Mass., and later carried on
the same business in this city. With J.
LXXX
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
B. Allen, Mr. Smith started in this city
a weekly paper, called "The People,"
which was published from 1881 to 1883.
He later transferred his printing office
to Oaklawn, R. I. While Mr. Smith was
a private in the army he was able to
inform Secretary of War Stanton of a
precedent for the famous Charleston
blockade, and he received from Mr. Stan-
ton a letter of thanks for the service he
had rendered.
JOSEPH L. SMITH — Born Pawtucket
March 6, 1886 ; learned printing trade on
the Chronicle in that city ; worked in
Providence since 1898; admitted to Provi-
dence Union by card Dec. 27, 1903 ; par-
ticipated in the effort for the eight-hour
day in 1906.
SAMUEL C. SMITH — Born Scid, N. Y.,
Nov. 13, 1864 ; learned printing at Cald-
well, Ky., beginning in 1884; initiated
into Providence Union March 25, 1900 ;
worked in this city for four years; lo-
cated in Washington, D. C., in 1904.
SAMUEL JENKS SMITH — Was a mem-
ber of the printing firm of Smith & Par-
menter in 1826-'28. He went to New
York city and about 1832 started the Sun-
day Morning News there. John Howard
Payne, author of "Home, Sweet Home,"
was an associate of Smith on the News.
"Smith became consumptive, sold his es-
tablishment in 1838, and sailed for Eu-
rope. He died at sea."
WILLIAM HORACE SMITH — Died in
Providence Jan. 13, 1889, in his 65th year.
He was born in Cumberland, R. I., and
his name was in the Providence Direc-
tory as a printer in 1844 ; initiated into
Providence Union April 18, 1S57 ; was
foreman of Journal job office and also of
other offices ; he was an inspector in the
Public Works Department of Providence
1886--89.
WILLIAM H. SMITH — Born Pawtucket
July 23, 1866 ; learned printing at E. L.
Freeman's, Central Falls, beginning in
1882 ; charter member of Pawtucket
• Union ; initiated into Providence Union
May 29, 1904.
THEODORE B. SOMERS — Died Boston
City Hospital Nov. 23, 1897, of cancer,
aged 51 years. He had worked in Boston
for more than 20 years, mostly on the
Herald. His relatives lived in Troy, N.
Y. He was admitted to Providence Union
by card Dec. 12, 1874, and worked on
the Journal.
FRANK F. SORBIE — Born London,
England, June 24 1844 ; learned printing
in that .city, beginning in 1857; admitted
to Providence Union by card at the Janu-
ary meeting, 1886 ; State Deputy under
both Presidents Amison and Plank and
Deputy Organizer under President Plank ;
organized Woonsocket and Pawtucket
Unions ; during the Telegram strike of
1898 was arrested and placed under $2000
bail, but nothing came of it; located in
New York city in 1907.
ALBINO JOSEPH SOUZA — Born Provi-
dence Oct. 13, 1878; died there July 11,
1904. He began in the Record office to
work at printing and finished his ap-
prenticeship with the Marion Printing
Co. ; he afterward worked at Snow &
P^arnham's and at the Platt Albertype
Co. ; he was initiated into Providence
Union Feb. 28, 1897.
SOLOMON SOUTHWICK (a) — Born
Newport, R. I., in 1731 ; died there Dec.
23, 1797 ; he bought the Newport Mer-
cury in 1768, and in the conduct of the
office printed many pamphlets and small
volumes. While the British occupied the
town, from Dec. 2, 1776, until Jan. 5,
1780, the Mercury was suspended. Dur-
ing this time Southwick came to Provi-
dence and with Bennett Wheeler estab-
lished a printing office here. From this
office the American Journal, the second
newspaper printed in this city, was issued.
After the British left Newport, Southwick
returned and resumed the publication of
the Mercury.
SOLOMON SOUTHWICK (b) — Born
Newport, R. L, Dec. 25, 1773 ; died Albany,
N. Y., Nov. 18, 1839. He probably learned
printing in his father's office in Newport
and worked as a journeyman in Provi-
dence, New York and Philadelphia. From
1808 to 1818 he was editor of the Albany
Register; in 1809 sheriff of the city and
county of Albany; in 1811 President of
the Mechanics Bank of Albany ; also
printer to the State of New York and
Regent of the University; from 1815 to
1822 Postmaster of Albany. In the latter
year he was a candidate for Governor of
New York, receiving but 2910 votes,
against 128,493 for his opponnent. Again
in 1828 he was defeated when he ran for
Governor on the anti-Masonic ticket.
ALFRED C. SPARKS — Born Wilming-
ton, Del., where he also learned the print-
ing trade. He has worked in Philadel-
phia, Pa., and in Providence since 1889 ;
now employed on Tribune.
EDGAR T. SPENCER — Born Glen's
Falls, N. Y. ; learned printing trade at
Albany, N. Y., where he joined the Typo-
graphical Union in 1867; worked at his
trade in New York city and Boston ; came
to Providence in 1877 ; employed on the
Journal until 1895 ; at present (1907) pub-
lisher of Hope Valley Advertiser ; member
of Senate Lodge, F. and A. M., 456, Glen's
Falls, N. Y. ; Franklin R. A. Chapter, No.
7, Hope Valley, R. I. ; Westminster Lodge,
No. 27, I. O. O. F., Providence ; joined
Providence Union at its reorganization,
April 8, 1883.
B. SPRANGER — Initiated into Provi-
dence Union May 26, 1901. He was then
44 years of age, and had learned printing
in Milwaukee, Wis.. beginning in 1891.
THE JOURNEYMEN
LXXXI
FRANK E. STACKPOLE — Born in
Newmarket, N. H., in 1855 ; learned print-
ing in that town, beginning in 1873 ; ad-
mitted to Providence Union by card May
5, 1904.
CHARLES STANSFIELD — Born in
1867; learned printing in England; initi-
ated into Providence Union Sept. 25, 1887 ;
last heard of in 1897 in Bangor, Me.,
where he was a member of No. 446.
WILLIAM J. STANTON — Died at R. I.
Hospital May 23, 1885, after an illness of
a few days. Rev. Fr. Clune sang a
requiem high mass at the Church of the
Assumption over the remains, and he was
buried in St. Patrick's Cemetery on Doug-
las avenue, four of his former associates
in the Journal composing room acting as
bearers.
FREDERICK W. STEARNS — Born
Mansfield, Mass., Jan. 8, 1847. He gradu-
ated from high school at 16 ; took up the
study of medicine with his father, who
was a surgeon in the Army of the Poto-
mac, and participated in the battles of
Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. After
the Civil war he learned printing, begin-
ning at Stoughton, Mass. ; worked in
Providence, on the Evening Press, in 1868.
The morning fire destroyed that office in
December of that year he missed an early
train from Milford, where he resided, and
thereby escaped the ordeal of climbing
down the chain. Mr. Stearns was initi-
ated into Boston Typographical Union, No.
13, in 1869, while working in that city at
Alfred Mudge's. He went to Milwaukee,
Wis., in 1872. He is a charter member of
Cream City Typographical Union, No. 23 ;
was secretary for eight years ; five years
delegate to the Federated Trades' Coun-
cil, acting as its secretary and treasurer
several terms ; delegate from Milwaukee
to organize the American Federation of
Labor in Washington, D. C. ; delegate to
the I. T. U. conventions at Buffalo and
Syracuse ; served two years as President
of Milwaukee Union, and in that capacity
opened the. 47th session of the I. T. U. in
Milwaukee in 1900. Mr. Stearns joined
the Knights of Labor in 1885 and held
many important offices in that organiza-
tion. In politics, Mr. Stearns is a Popu-
list. His grandfather, Isaac Stearns, was
a member of the printing firm of Stearns
& Wheaton in Providence in 1830, and
publisher and editor of the Free Press,
one of the first daily newspapers printed
in this city. Isaac Stearns was not a
practical printer. He was born in Mans-
field, Mass., Jan. 18, 1790, and died June
16, 1879. Fred W. Stearns was editor of
the Milwaukee Union Signal, a labor
paper, in 1904.
OLIVER STEELE — Was married in
Boston, Mass., Nov. 20, 1802, to Mrs.
Sarah H. Boss of that city. He was a
printer and formerly worked in Provi-
dence.
LEONARD L. STEPHENSON — Born
Gloucester, N. Y., Feb. 2, 1865 ; learned
printing in office of New Bedford Evening
Standard ; worked in Providence from
1879 to 1882 ; he ran the first linotype
machine in Massachusetts and claims "the
honor of being the only 'comp' who ever
beat J. Harry West at his own game at
the copy box ;" employed on the Boston
Herald in 1907.
THOMAS C. STEPHENSON — Born
Bristol, England, Aug. 19, 1854 ; learned
printing in New York Sun job office ;
worked in Providence from 1879 to 1882 ;
was for many years a successful master
printer in Boston ; now employed on the
Boston Herald.
ALBERT L. STEVENS — Born Clare-
mont, N. H., Dec. 20, 1861 ; learned print-
ing in office of Claremont Mfg. Co., begin-
ning in October, 1879 ; worked in Man-
chester, N. H., and Northampton, Mass. ;
initiated into Providence Union Dec. 31,
1899.
CHARLES H. STILES — Born New
York State and learned printing there.
He was working on the New York Times
in 1870, and later worked in Boston, Mass.,
whence he came to Providence in April,
1885. He was a prime mover in organiz-
ing Caxton Assembly, Knights of Labor,
and was a charter member. Afterward he
was prominent in Chicago typographical
circles. He died in that city May 7, 1900,
aged 54 years. He is buried in No. 16's
lot in Elmwood Cemetery.
CHARLES P. STILES — Born Rock
Island, 111., July 3, 1854; learned printing
at Aledo, 111., beginning in 1867 ; initiated
into Davenport (la.) Union in March,
1872, and has ever since been a member
in good standing. He first worked in
Providence on the Journal in 1880. His
second visit was in 1885, when he worked
on the Telegram. He was a charter mem-
ber of Caxton Assembly, Knights of Labor,
composed exclusively of printers ; em-
ployed on Hearst's Chicago American in
1905.
EDWIN STANTON STINE— Born Har-
risburg, Pa., April 19, 1866 ; began to
learn printing in office of Leavenworth
(Kas.) Daily Times in 1899; worked
mostly in West ; worked in Providence for
short time in July, 1906 ; machine operator.
JAMES A. STONE — Born Providence
June 16, 1874 ; learned printing in the
office of Chadsey & Clarke, beginning in
1890. He has worked on the News, at
the Franklin Press, Remington's and
Standard Printing Co. He joined Provi-
dence Typographical Union April 28, 1901.
CORNELIUS STORMEZAND — Born
Holland March 15, 1866 ; learned printing
in Cincinnati, beginning in 1880; worked
in Providence on the Telegram from 189:2
to 1900; No. 5016 in New York Union
in 1907.
LXXXII
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
JOHN J. STRONG — Initiated into Provi-
dence Union Feb. 8, 1868; worked here
until about 1872, when he went to Boston
and remained in that city at work on the
Herald until the spring of 1896. Then he
returned and was employed on the Jour-
nal for a number of years. Now resides
in Johnston, R. I. ,
IRVING J. STURDY — Born Black-
stone, Mass., March 26, 1862 ; began to
learn printing in 1884 in the office of the
Attleboro Advocate, and finished his ap-
prenticeship in Fairhaven, Vt. ; he worked
on the Woonsocket Reporter for a time ;
also in Providence with Livermore &
Knight ; admitted to No. 33 on March 30,
1902, by card.
FRANK G. SULLIVAN — Born Provi-
dence in 1880; learned printing in Jour-
nal office, beginning in 1901 ; admitted to
No. 33 as an apprentice member in 1905 ;
now employed in "ad" department of
Evening Bulletin.
GEORGE B. SULLIVAN — Born New
Milford, Conn., June 8, 1867 ; first worked
at printing in office of New Milford Ga-
zette ; joined Providence Union June 28,
1885, and has been continuously a mem-
ber of the International Typographical
Union since. In Albany, in 1889, worked
on the Argus ; also in the State printing
office (Lyon's) ; also for a short time
(under cover) on the Troy Times, in the
same year. The Times was a non-union
office at that time and no union man was
allowed by the foreman to work there.
But there were a few union men there,
notwithstanding. Mr. Sullivan has been
prominent in labor union affairs in Rhode
Island. He represented Providence in
the I. T. U. convention at Philadelphia in
1892 ; also represented the State Federa-
tion of Labor of Rhode Island at the Bos-
ton A. F. of L. convention in 1903. Three
different years he has been President of
the Providence Central Labor Union and
one year President of the Pawtucket
Allied Labor Council. He has also been
President of Typographical Union No. 33.
He has worked in Providence and Paw-
tucket for the past nine years. He re-
sides in Pawtucket, where he was for two
years Councilman from the Fourth Ward
and one year was President of the City
Council. Now linotype operator on Eve-
ning Bulletin. Mr. Sullivan has been a
member of the souvenir committee during
its existence.
JEREMIAH P. SULLIVAN — Born
Providence, R. I.. Nov. 2, 1868; learned
printing with Whittemore & Thompson,
beginning in 1883 ; initiated into Provi-
dence Union Feb. 27, 1887 ; worked for a
brief period with J. A. & R. A. Reid;
since July, 1888, has been with E. L.
Freeman & Sons, Central Falls.
JOHN H SULLIVAN — Born Providence
June 11, 1869 ; learned printing on the
Evening Bulletin, beginning Sept. 6, 1887 ;
initiated into Providence Union Aug. 31,
1890 ; has been a linotype operator on the
Journal and Evening Bulletin since com-
pleting his apprenticeship.
ROBERT EMMET SULLIVAN — Born
Providence Jan. 23, 1881 ; served part of
apprenticeship in office of Evening Bulle-
tin ; initiated into Providence Union June
28, 1903.
EDWARD A. SUTCLIFFE — Born Cen-
tral Falls, R. I. ; died Pawtucket, R. I.,
Nov. 1, 1903, aged 37 years; initiated into
Providence Union June 24, 1888. His
father was also a printer.
BENONI SWEET — Born Coventry, R. I.,
March 16, 1840; learned printing in Phe-
nix, R. I., on the Kent County Atlas, the
first newspaper published in that county,
beginning in 1852 ; John B. Lincoln was
editor and proprietor ; worked in Provi-
dence since 1866 ; initiated into No. 33
Dec. 11, 1869. Mr. Sweet has been famous
as a tight rope walker. He is at present
"Sweet, the Printer, 862 Broad street."
EVERETT H. SWEET — Born Worces-
ter, Mass., August, 1858; died San Pedro,
Gal., August, 1893; learned printing in
Providence, beginning 1879.
J. W. SWEET — Admitted to Providence
Union by card in 1877 and withdrew it the
same year. He had travelled extensively
and spent several years in California.
NEWTON J. SWEET — Born Attleboro,
Mass., June 21, 1860 ; learned printing in
Attleboro, beginning in 1877 ; worked in
Providence in 1880; bought Attleboro Ad-
vocate January, 1881, as E. H. Sweet &
Co. ; started Attleboro Daily Sun Septem-
ber, 1889; now with L. Sweet & Co., lum-
ber dealers, Providence.
ARTHUR H.' SWIFT — Born 1874;
learned printing with Lee & Upham, Paw-
tucket, beginning 1891 ; admitted to Provi-
dence Union by card May 31, 1896 ; worked
on Evening Telegram and as foreman at
Pentecostal Printing Co. and Franklin
Press; also on Moosup (Conn.) Journal;
now foreman Bristol Phoenix.
Initiated Into Providence Union on Dates
Named:
THOMAS D. SWEETLAND, Nov. 9,
1872.
J. E. SAGE, December, 1892.
HARRY L. SAUNDERS, Nov. 27, 1892.
F. A. SAWYER, March 27, 1887; also
by card January, 1889.
FRANK SAYLES, Oct. 27, 1889 (press-
man).
W. A. SEIMS, Feb. 27, 1898.
A. E. SENTER. May 10, 1862.
WILLIAM SIMMONDS (a), Feb. 28.
1886.
HIRAM F. SMART, Dec. 11, 1869.
AUGUSTUS SMITH, JR., Jan. 29, 1893.
D. H. SPOONER, Jan. 11, 1873.
THE JOURNEYMEN
LXXXIII
CHRISTOPHER SPRATT, April 29, 1888.
GEORGE F. STACKPOLE, April 29,
1888. Reported died in Newark, N. J.
WILLIAM A. STEERE, June 30, 1896.
ROBERT H. STUBBS, Sept. 28, 1898.
ALBERT R. STURDY, Jan. 14, 1871.
CHARLES STREKER, April 8, 1874.
CHARLES H. STREKER, Jan. 31, 1892.
Member of Providence police force.
M. E. E. SWEET, April 5, 1888.
WILLIAM T. SWINNERTON, Dec. 9,
1871.
Admitted by Card on Dates Named:
G. W. SAUNDERS, August, 1886; Oc-
tober, 1886.
C. E. SAYERS, April 26, 1896.
J. W. SCHURR, April, 1886.
D. A. SCRIVER, October, 1886.
JOHN O. SEBIRE, June 30, 1901 ; Dec.
29, 1901. Located at Wakefield, R. I., in
1906.
WILLIAM SEXTON, May, 1886.
EDWARD R. SEYMOUR, Nov. 28, 1897.
CHARLES E. SHARKEY, April 23, 1892.
DANIEL SHEA, May 29, 1898.
JOHN SHERIDAN, May 31, 1891.
HUGH J. SHEPARD, May 26, 1895.
T. P. SHERMAN, Dec. 27, 1891.
JAMES A. SHERRILL, Sept. 30, 1883;
April 23, 1892.
R. C. SHERWOOD, Dec. 27, 1903.
G. R. SHORT, September, 1886.
FRANK SKINNER, April 30, 1884.
D. W. SLOAN, May 29, 1894.
ARTHUR O. SMALL, Aug. 29, 1897.
A. G. SMITH, from New York July 11,
1868.
C. H. SMITH, May 28, 1884. Reported
dead.
FREMONT SMITH, July 1, 1883.
HAMILTON SMITH, Sept. 10, 1870.
STEPHEN G. SMITH, June 10, 1865.
WILLIAM A. SMITH, June 25, 1884.
THOMAS S. SNEATH, Aug. 27, 1884.
A. M. SNIDER, September, 1886.
R. H. SPARKS, June, 1888. Reported
dead.
SAMUEL SPENCER, Oct. 9, 1869.
HARRY C. SPRAGUE, May 31, 1891.
JAMES STEELE. July 9, 1870.
FRANK A. STERETT, September, 1888.
FRDERICK STILL, from Utica, May
11, 1872.
WILLIAM STOCK, Sept. 24, 1899.
JOSEPH F. STONE, September, 1883.
• FRANK W. STRETTON, September,
1886.
SIMON S. SULLIVAN, May 29, 1892.
W. J. SULLIVAN, Aug. 8, 1874.
Names Found in Directory:
FREDERICK SCHUBERT — 1856.
WILLIAM W. SHAW— 1841 and 1850
at 15 Market square; 1847 at Transcript
office.
WALTER SCOTT SHERMAN — 1844 at
18 Cove street.
WILLIAM F. SHORT — 1824 at Journal
office; 1850 (S.) at 15 Market square;
1854 (F. ) at Journal office.
JOSEPH SIMMONS — 1844 at 93 Paw-
tuxet street.
SYLVESTER SIMMONS — 1847.
JOSIAH SNOW — 1828.
WILLIAM S. SPEAR — 1824 and 1826
over Market square.
JAMES G. SPOONER— 1844.
ROBERT STILES — 1853 at 84 West-
minster street.
WILLIAM SWEET — 1844.
WILLIAM E. SWEET 1863.
Printers Known to Have Worked Here:
JOHN A. SCOTT — Initiation fee re-
turned by the Union October, 1884.
SETH SIMMONS — 1845 worked on
Journal.
EUGENE F. SHIELDS — Learned trade
on Evening Press and immediately retired
to go into restaurant business. Deceased.
WILLIAM SPENCER — Name in 1870
constitution.
FREDERICK STROBRIDGE — Learned
trade on Republican Herald.
E. SULLIVAN — 1856 worked on Jour-
nal.
BENJAMIN H. SUTTON— 1855 and
later ; pressman on Post and Herald.
BOWEN A. SWEET — 1856 worked on
Journal ; member of Providence Union
previous to 1865.
WILLIAM K. SWEET — Served in 1st
Light Battery and Battery A, 1st L. A.,
during Civil war.
E. FRED TAYLOR — Applied for mem-
bership in New Bedford Union September,
1898. He claimed to have worked in
Providence on the Visitor.
JAMES A. TAYLOR — Died Detroit,
Mich., Feb. 9, 1906, aged 47 years. He
was admitted to Providence Union by
card Nov. 12, 1884; was well known in
Chicago, where he had been an adman on
the Inter-Ocean for a number of years.
WILLIAM S. TENNANT — Born South
Killingly, Conn., July 1, 1877 ; learned
printing with T. S. Hammond, beginning
in 1894 ; initiated into Providence Union
Oct. 26, 1902.
IRA N. TEW — Born Taunton, Mass.,
Jan. 23, 1857. At 15 years of age he went
to the trade in the office of the Daily
Gazette, Taunton, Mass., and finished in
the office of the Bristol County Republi-
can, serving seven years in all. Came to
Providence Journal in May, 1881, where
he has worked continuously since as com-
positor and proofreader. Member of King
David Lodge of Masons, Taunton, Mass.,
and also of the Masonic Veteran Associa-
tion of Rhode Island. Became member
of Providence Typographical Union Dec.
27, 1885.
JEREMIAH N. THOMAS — Born Wick-
ford, R. I., in 1836 ; died North Provi-
dence Feb. 9, 1871, aged 35 years, 9
months and 5 days. He worked on the
Daily Post in this city, at A. Crawford
Greene's and was foreman of Hammond
LXXXIV
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
& Angell's book room. He was a charter
member of Providence Union in 1857 and
its first treasurer.
BENJAMIN THOMPSON — Born St.
Louis, Mo., in 1860 ; learned printing in
that city, beginning in 1877 ; worked in
Providence in 1888-'89 at Reid's; located
at Ritzville, Washington, in 1904.
CLIFFORD THOMPSON— Born Charles-
ton, S. C., Oct. 4, 1879 ; learned printing
in that city ; worked on Providence Eve-
ning Telegram in the fall of 1305 ; now
located in Charleston ; delegate to Hot
Springs convention 1907 from Charleston
Union, No. 43 ; also its financial secretary
in 1907.
J. S. THOMPSON — Represented Chicago
Union in the national conventions of 1858
and 1866, held in Chicago, and represented
Providence Union by proxy. He conducted
a job office in Chicago until his death.
W. E. THOMPSON — Born Attleboro,
Mass. ; learned printing in the office of
the Advocate, published in that town, be-
ginning July 6, 1884 ; worked in Provi-
dence at J. A. & R. A. Reid's in 1886;
was initiated into No. 33 May 27, 1888 ;
now foreman of the Pawtucket Times.
FRANK W. THURBER — Born Woon-
socket, R. I. ; learned printing in that
city on the Reporter, beginning in 1875 ;
initiated into Providence Union April 30,
1884; worked here in 1880-'81. Mr. Thur-
ber was the first President ' of Woon-
socket Typographical Union, holding the
office two years.
PHILIP F. TIERNEY — Born 1872;
learned printing on Evening Telegram, be-
ginning in 1891 ; applied for admission to
Providence Union May 28, 1905 ; partici-
pated in the effort for the eight-hour day
in 1906.
JOHN TIGER — Died Fort Wayne, Ind. ;
he was admitted to Providence Union by
card Oct. 12, 1874.
HENRY TILDEN — Died Providence
Dec. 31, 1883, in his 76th year. He was
working at printing in this city in 1856 ;
for a time he conducted a job printing
office on Weybosset street and later on
Westminster street, near Turk's Head.
WILLIAM COGGESHALL TILLEY —
Born Newport, R. I., Jan. 20, 1815; died
Providence Aug. 23, 1878. He learned the
trade of printer in Newport, and at one
time published the Republican in that city
in company with William Callahan, under
the firm name of Callahan & Tilley. In
1847 he was marine reporter for the
Providence Journal; 1853 on the Daily
Post; 1857 he was a Custom House officer.
He was buried at Newport.
CHARLES TILLINGHAST — Was killed
at battle of Newberne, N. C., March 14,
1862 ; he enlisted Sept. 20, 1861, and was
captain Co. H, 4th R. I. Vols. Before the
war he worked at printing in this city.
HENRY L. TILLINGHAST — Died Provi-
dence Feb. 25, 1862, aged 29 years. In
1850 he was a member of the firm of
Hill, Murphy & Tillinghast, publishers of
the Constellation, at 15 Market square.
His name is on the 1857 charter of Provi-
dence Union.
JOHN TILLINGHAST — Died Provi-
dence Sept. 2, 1876, in his 68th year, at
44 Chestnut street. He worked on the
Journal in 1845 and later in various print-
ing offices in this city.
ROBERT TINING — Died Providence
Sept. 9, 1898, of consumption, aged 32
years. He was initiated into Providence
Union July 25, 1886.
WILLIS TOBIE — Born Providence, R.
I., March 21, 1874. Began to learn the
printing trade at Post office in Pawtucket
March 4, 1896, finishing in the Providence
Journal office in 1900. During his appren-
ticeship he enlisted for the Spanish war
in Battery A, 1st R. I. V. A., April 25,
1898, and was mustered out Oct. 25 of
the same year. He has been employed in
the Journal office since finishing his ap-
prenticeship.
SEABURY SOULE TOMPKINS — Died
Pawtucket, R. I., April 10, 1894, aged 62
years, 1 month and 28 days. He was born
in that town and at the age of 15 was
apprenticed to the printing business in
the Gazette and Chronicle office under
Robert Sherman. In 1855 and later he
was compositor and ship news collector on
the Providence Post. March 12, 1864, he
was initiated into Providence Union. Mr.
Tompkins worked at his trade in Phila-
delphia several years, and from that city,
between the years 1871 and 1874, he
wrote a series of letters under the title
of "Rhode Islander" for the Gazette and
Chronicle. He returned to Pawtucket in
the latter year and worked in the com-
posing room of the Providence Journal
until 1875, when he became Pawtucket
correspondent of the Press and Star, re-
taining that position until those papers
suspended. When the Pawtucket Times
was started he became a .local reporter
on that paper, and was also correspond-
ent for Pawtucket for the Boston Sunday
Herald. He continued active newspaper
work until about one year before his death.
WILLIAM E. TOURTELLOT — Born
Woonsocket July 26, 1847. He learned
printing in the office of the Woonsocket
Patriot, beginning in 1863 ; initiated into
Providence Union Oct. 10, 1868; worked
on the Evening Press and Journal until
1885, when he went to New Bedford,
where he is at present employed in the
office of the Evening Standard.
JOHN F. TRACY — Applied for admis-
sion to Hartford (Conn.) Union May, 1902 ;
he was born in 1873 ; had worked at print-
ing in Philadelphia, Providence and Boston.
THE JOURNEYMEN
LXXXV
PATRICK J. TRIGGS — Died Providence
May 13, 1887, aged 29 years; he learned
printing at Hammond, Angell & Co.'s and
worked as a journeyman in that office.
SAMUEL T. B. TRIMMER — Died New
York city in 1893. He was initiated into
Providence Union June 9, 1873; worked
on the Journal and Morning Star. He was
a native of New Jersey.
BEN C. TRUMAN (Major) — Born of
an old Colonial family in Providence,
R. I., Oct. 25, 1835. He graduated from
the high school and was further educated
at the Shaker village of East Canter-
bury, N. H., until, at the age of 17, he
was appointed principal of the district
school in that town. In 1853 he returned
to Providence, learned to set type in the
Mirror office, where he worked until No-
vember, 1854, when he went to Boston
and clerked and wrote stories for weekly
papers. In 1855 he went to New York
and set type and read proof for the New
York Times for five years. He repre-
sented New York Union as delegate in
the national convention of 1858. In 1860
he went to Philadelphia as correspond-
ent for the New York Clipper, and as a
writer on the Sunday Mercury and
Forney's Press. He also wrote for the
theatres and other playhouses of Phila-
delphia, and composed a number of war
songs and war farces in 1861. His writ-
ings now attracted the attention of Col.
John W. Forney, who made him a war
correspondent of his paper. In March,
1862, when Andrew Johnson was made
Military Governor of Tennessee, he se-
lected Truman as one of his staff officers
and confidential secretary, with rank of
captain. Truman also acted as corre-
spondent of the Philadelphia Press and
New York Times until the close of the
war. He was elected the first major of
the first loyal white regiment raised in
middle Tennessee, and was assistant pro-
vost marshal of Nashville for a long time.
And although he remained with Johnson
until the end of the war, he often went
into the field and served on the staff of
Gen. James S. Negley at the battle of
Stone River, on Gen. John H. King's
staff in all the battles of the Atlanta cam-
paign, and at Missionary Ridge, and with
Gen. Kenner Garrard at the battles off
Spanish Fort, Mobile and Blakeley.
Shortly after the assassination of Mr:
Lincoln, President Johnson appointed Tru-
man his confidential secretary, which
position he held for 18 months, during
which period he spent eight months in
the Southern States as a special commis-
sioner to aid in Johnson's scheme of re-
construction, and two other months in
Florida and South Carolina rectifying the
flagrant abuses of the direct tax com-
missioners for those two States. He was
subsequently appointed special agent of
the Treasury Department and sent to
Europe. Upon his return the President
appointed Truman major and paymaster
in the regular army. Truman had signi-
fied a wish for some good place that
would take him to the Pacific coast, and
a special agency of the Postoffice De-
partment was created for him that gave
him jurisdiction from Alaska to Mexico.
This position he held for about three
years, during which time he visited
China, Japan, Alaska, Mexico and the
Sandwich Islands. At the expiration of
his term of office he married, in Decem-
ber, 1869, Miss Augusta Mallard of Los
Angeles, and went to Washington as cor-
respondent of the New York Times and
San Francisco Bulletin. In July, 1870,
he returned and was appointed Census
Marshal of San Diego county, and became
editor and part proprietor of the San
Diego Bulletin. In February, 1872, he
moved to Los Angeles and became editor
of the Los Angeles Express. In July,
1873, he purchased the Daily and Weekly
Star of Los Angeles, and made it a
great paper for that day, and sold it to
his printers in October, 1877, and was
again appointed special agent of the Post-
office Department for the Pacific coast.
This office he held during the year 1878,
and in 1879 he accepted the position of
chief of the literary bureau of the South-
ern Pacific Co., which he held for eleven
years, residing in San Francisco. In
1890 he went to Chicago and took charge
of a Southern California exhibit for the
Santa Fe Railroad Co., where he re-
mained for two years, when he was ap-
pointed, in 1892, assistant chief of flori-
culture of the World's Fair at Chicago,
after which he returned to Los Angeles
and was for four years editor of the
Graphic. In 1899 he was appointed a
commissioner from California to the Paris
Exposition of 1900, and afterward visited
the Holy Land, Egypt, Algiers and Mo-
rocco as correspondent of the San Fran-
cisco Chronicle and Los Angeles Graphic.
Maj. Truman is highly spoken of in Ap-
pleton's Biography and a list of his best
books is given. He wrote "Campaign-
ing in Tennessee" in 1863 ; "The South
After the War" in 1866 ; "Semi-Tropical
California" in 1874 ; "Occidental Sketches"
in 1881 ; "Monterey" in 1882 ; "Tourists'
Guide to the Summer and Winter Resorts
in California" in 1883 ; "Homes and Hap-
piness in California" and the "Field of
Honor" in 1884 ; "From the Crescent City
to the Golden Gate" in 1886; "Pictorial
History of the World's Fair" in 1893,
and "See How It Sparkles" in 1896. He
wrote a five-act play for the Webb Sis-
ters called "Life," and he dramatized
"Enoch Arden" for Edwin Adams. He
was for a while night editor of the Phila-
delphia Press and managing editor of the
Washington Chronicle. He established
the San Francisco Wave and owned and
edited it for several years. Our old Provi-
dence printer is at present editor of the
Graphic in Los Angeles, where he lives
under his own vine and fig tree, and is
well remembered by many a Providence
printer who knew him in the 50's as
LXXXVI
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
"Shaker," which nickname he carried with
him to Boston and New York and which
remained with him so long as he re-
mained at the case.
HENRY TRUMBULL — Born Stoning-
ton, Conn., Nov. 16, 1781. Probably he
learned printing in his native town with
a kinsman who conducted a printing office
there when Mr. Trumbull was of an age
to be apprenticed. The first number of
the Providence Directory (1824) con-
tained his name. His printing office was
located at 26 and 34 High street, now
Westminster street. Between 1836 and
1838 he removed to Brooklyn, N. Y.,
where he died Aug. 14, 1842. He was
buried in Stonington.
PETER J. TRUMPLER— Served a regu-
lar apprenticeship in the printing office
of L. D. Meyers & Bro. of Mansfield, O.,
publishers of the Mansfield Herald ; came
to Providence in 1866 and obtained em-
ployment on the Journal and Bulletin in
the double capacity of pressman and com-
PETER J. TRUMPLER.
positor. At that time the first and second
editions of the Bulletin Were run off on
a single cylinder by Mr. Trumpler, while
the postscript was printed on a double
cylinder, operated by Messrs. Trumpler
and John Holiday. Of the employes of
the Journal and Bulletin in 1866, Mr.
Trumpler recalls as living only William
J. Danielson of the Danielson Advertis-
ing Agency ; Louis P. Clark, manufactur-
ing jeweler ; William M. Peckham, Over-
seer of the Poor, Pawtucket ; Henry R.
Davis, secretary of the Journal Co., and
James Muspratt. Mr. Trumpler after-
ward accepted the foremanship of the
pressroom of the Evening Press and later
was assistant foreman of the composing
room of that paper, where he remained
until 1872, when, in partnership with
Charles E. Burchfield, he established a
printing office and began the publication
of "Yours." Afterward he printed the
"Odd Fellows Register," the first and
only official organ of the Grand Lodge of
Rhode Island, I. O. O. F. The office was
located at the corner of Orange and
Westminster streets. In 1873 he entered
a partnership known as Reynolds, Mac-
kinnon & Trumpler, uniting two printing
offices. It was located in the Calender
building, Sabin street. Later he retired
from the firm and was connected with the
Sunday Transcript. From 1880 to 1889
Mr. Trumpler was business manager of
the Evening Telegram, and in that posi-
tion demonstrated remarkable ability. A
great portion of the success of the Tele-
gram during that period was due to the
efforts of Mr. Trumpler. In 1890, in part-
nership with David O. Black, the Paw-
tucket Evening Times was purchased of
George O. Willard. A modern newspa-
per equipment was installed in the Times
office and another remarkable success was
achieved in Pawtucket. The Times was
sold to a Providence syndicate in 1904.
In May, 1906, Mr. Trumpler assumed the
business management of the Providence
News, changed the name to that of the
News-Democrat, and caused the paper to
espouse the cause of clean government.
Mr. Trumpler was the victim of an un-
fortunate automobile accident in October,
1906, which has compelled him practically
to retire from his accustomed activity.
He was initiated into Providence Typo-
graphical Union, No. 33, Dec. 12, 1868,
and when he became an employing printer
his name was placed on its honorary roll.
FREDERICK J. TULLY — Born Provi-
dence Aug. 12, 1876 ; began as apprentice
in the office of the Telegram March, 1892 ;
admitted to the Union April, 1896 ; at
present employed as operator in the com-
posing room of the Journal.
W. H. TUPPER — Born Kankakee, 111.,
July 10, 1864 ; learned printing in that
city and Joliet, 111., beginning in 1876 ;
admitted to Providence Union by card at
the October meeting, 1886 ; in Seattle,
Wash., in 1904.
ANDREW TURNBULL — Born Prince
Edward Island in 1853 ; learned printing
in Fredericton, N. B., beginning in 1865 ;
worked in Providence in 1880 ; at present
in Washington, D. C.
GEORGE W. TURNER — Born Middle-
town, N. Y., in 1862 ; began to learn
printing in that town, finishing his ap-
prenticeship on the Providence Journal ;
was initiated into Providence Union April
8, 1883 ; now located in New York city.
THOMAS W. TURNER— Born Middle-
town, N. Y., Aug. 17, 1860; learned print-
THE JOURNEYMEN
LXXXVII
ing trade on the Providence Journal, be-
ginning in 1872 ; admitted to Providence
Union by card March 27, 1884 ; has been
an extensive traveller ; visited Providence
in May, 1904.
WALTER S. TURNEY — Born Provi-
dence Nov. 28, 1866; learned printing in
the office of J. A. & R. A. Reid, begin-
ning in 1884. At the outbreak of the
Spanish war he enlisted in the 1st R. I.
Vol. Inf., May 2, 1898; commissioned
second lieutenant May 10, 1898, and
remained with the regiment until it was
mustered out, March 31, 1899. He was
initiated into Providence Union March 31,
1901.
DENNIS A. TYRRELL — Born Provi-
dence May 18, 1869 ; learned printing at
office of E. A. Johnson & Co., beginning
in 1885, where he is at present employed;
initiated into No. 33 June 26, 1892.
Initiated Into Providence Typographical
Union on Dates Named:
CHARLES R. TEXIDO, Feb. 26, 1893.
Admitted to Union Printers' Home from
New York city Jan. 13, 1906, then 65
years.
CHARLES THOMPSON, Jan. 11, 1868.
H. L. THOMPSON, Feb. 28; 1886.
R. F. THOMPSON, Sept. 13, 1862.
FREDERICK TIDMARSH (stereo-
typer), Feb. 26, 1888. Died suddenly in
Boston in 1907.
JOSIE M. TILLINGHAST (Miss), Jan.
31, 1886.
JOHN TONER, Feb. 26, 1893.
Admitted by Card on Dates Named:
THOMAS TEED, April 30, 1884. Re-
ported in Nova Scotia.
W. R. TEMPLEMAN, June, 1886. Now
employed on Boston American.
O. P. THOMPSON, February, 1886.
J. C. TODMAN, August, 1889.
F. H. TOWNE, Dec. 18, 1892.
WILLIAM J. TRAINOR, March 27, 1884.
H. H. TUCKER, from Harrisburg, Pa.,
Nov. 13, 1869.
H. W. TURRELL, from Louisville, Ky.,
Oct. 12, 1867.
Names Found in Directory:
DAVID B. TAYLOR— 1844 to 1856
worked at Journal office.
BENJAMIN P. THURBER — 1832;
(widow's name in Directory, 1841).
CHRISTOPHER E. THURSTON — 1850
worked at Republican Herald office.
STEPHEN H. TILLINGHAST — 1860.
MILES B. TOBEY — 1828 worked at
Canal Market; 1830 at 12 Market square.
Printers Known to Have Worked Here:
JOHN TANNER— On Telegram in the
SO's.
JAMES THOMPSON — At R. I. Print-
ing Co.
JACK TRIPP — Worked on Journal ;
murdered in New York.
SAMUEL ULMAN — Born Milwaukee,
Wis., Sept. 1, 1861. He learned the print-
ing trade on the Herold, a German paper
published in that city, beginning in 1874.
His first work in Providence was on the
Telegram, March 26, 1904, and he was
admitted to membership in the Union at
the meeting next day.
LESTER W. UPHAM — Born Pawtucket
June 22, 1858; learned printing in Provi-
dence, beginning in 1878; worked here
until 1880 ; senior partner of Chronicle
Printing Co., Pawtucket, R. I., in 1907.
CHARLES UREN — Initiated into Provi-
dence Union Feb. 26, 1893.
LYMAN UPHAM (Deputy Sheriff) —
Learned the printing trade.
ALBERT M. VANCE — Born Provi-
dence July 9, 1867; learned printing at
Rumford Chemical Works, where he is
now employed ; has worked at Livermore
& Knight's and Snow & Farnham's.
WILLIAM HENRY VINAL — Born Sul-
livan county, N. Y., Oct. 10, 1856; learned
printing in office of Providence Press Co.,
beginning in March, 1873 ; worked in
Providence until 1898, with J. A. & R. A.
Reid nine years and Snow & Farnham
four years ; initiated into No. 33 April 5,
1888; located at Jamaica Plain, Mass.,
in 1904.
NATHAN HULL VINCENT — Born
Westerly, R. I., Sept. 24, 1866; learned
printing on the New York Tribune, be-
ginning in 1888; worked on the Provi-
dence Journal as a linotype operator ;
now employed on the New York Tribune.
JOHN W. VOSE — Died Providence
Nov. 12, 1847, in his 37th year. His
name appears in the Directory of 1832
as a printer. Feb. 1, 1839, he became a
partner with Joseph Knowles in -publish-
ing the Journal and continued in the firm
until his death.
Initiated Into Providence Union on Dates
Named :
HERMAN VAN VECHTER, July 9, 1870.
J. H. VERDINE, July 29, 1888. Died
at Howard, R. I., October, 1907.
Admitted by Card on Dates Named:
ED. S. VANCE, .October, 1888.
C. H. VANNE, July, 1887.
ISRAEL VARNEY, from Boston May
14, 1859 ; rejected.
C. C. VANSANT, Sept. 30, 1883.
R. H. VAN ZANDT, March, 1887.
FRANK VIBBERT, Aug. 8, 1863.
Names from Providence Directory:
CHARLES W. VARNEY — 1859.
C. H. VESINA — 1854 worked at 15
Market square.
WILLIAM S. VINTON — 1859 to 1863.
N. C. WADDILL — Born Lynchburg,
Va., March 28, 1848; learned printing in
LXXXVIII
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
that city, beginning in 1860; worked in
Providence a short while in 1883 ; located
in South McAlester, Okla., in 1904.
CHARLES V. WAGNER — Born Colum-
bus, O., Oct. 20, 1862 ; learned printing
in that city, beginning in February, 1879 ;
admitted to Providence Union July, 1886.
"Carried the memory of that prohibition
summer with me ever since ; carried my
Providence card to Helena, Mont., before
it was deposited." Located in Cincinnati,
on the Commercial-Tribune, in 1904.
MEYRICK WAITES — Although a mem-
ber of Providence Typographical Union
for only 15 months, during that period
he took a most active part, not only in
craft affairs, but in all matters pertain-
ing to organized labor in general. Mr.
Waites deposited a New York card here
in July, 1883. His marked intelligence
and ability was soon recognized, and at
the annual election in December of the
same year he was elected to the office of
President. His aggressiveness in the
labor movement soon became evident, for
at the January, 1884, meeting he moved
for the appointment of a committee to
establish a Central Labor Union. To Mr.
Waites, therefore, belongs the credit of in-
stituting the R. I. Central Labor Union,
now known as the Central Trades and Labor
Union, for, as a result of his motion and
the intelligent efforts he put forth, such a
body was organized. He was also instru-
mental in securing the presence here of
the late Gen. B. F. Butler and other
prominent men to address the first or-
ganized labor rally, which was held at
Rocky Point in 1884. His term of office
was both an exciting and progressive one.
He resigned his office of President in
September, 1884, and went to Boston,
where he was widely known and es-
teemed. There he continued to take an
active interest in Typographical Union
affairs and was elected by No. 13 chair-
man of the Boston delegation to the Buf-
falo convention. He worked on the Rec-
ord in Boston until his death in that city,
June 15, 1894. Mr. Waites was a native
of Gloucestershire, England. Before com-
ing to Providence Mr. Waites was promi-
nently connected with the unionizing of
the New York World.
BURT W. WALKER — Born Clinton,
Mass., March 15, 1856 ; learned printing
in office of Southbridge Journal, begin-
ning in 1870 ; worked in Providence on
the Evening Press at the time of the big
fire in that office, when part of the rear
wall fell in ; on Telegram when pub-
lished by Corbett & Eddy ; on Journal
while Merrill was foreman ; on the New
York American and Journal in 1904.
HUGH WALLACE — Came to Provi-
dence from England in the latter end of
1886 ; worked on Journal until April 27,
1887, when he returned to England. He
died in Liverpool.
JOHN WALSH — Born county Limer-
ick, Ireland, in 1841 ; learned printing
with A. Crawford Greene, Providence, be-
ginning in 1859 ; initiated into Providence
Union July 9, 1864 ; worked on Morning
Star and Weekly Visitor.
JOHN P. WALSH — Born Worcester,
Mass., June 28, 1865 ; learned printing in
that city, beginning in 1882 ; admitted to
Providence Union by card at the April
meeting, 1886 ; located in New York city
in 1904.
THOMAS E. WALSH — Died Providence
at the R. I. Hospital June 1, 1906, aged
29 years. He learned printing on the
Evening Bulletin, beginning Nov. 21, 1893,
but left the business about two years
after becoming a journeyman.
WALTER FRANCIS WALSH — Born
Dublin, Ireland, May 8, 1866 ; learned
printing in Fall River, Mass. ; admitted
to Providence Union by card at the March
meeting, 1886; worked in this city on the
Star, Telegram and Dispatch ; was in the
strike on the latter paper in 1889 ; has
been located in New Haven since that
year ; has been President of the Union
there and served on the executive com-
mittee and as delegate to State. Federa-
tion of Labor in 1900. In politics Mr.
Walsh has been member of the Common
Council of New Haven three times and
director of the Public Library two years.
CHARLES SETTLE WARD — Born
Warrenton, Va., Sept. 28, 1866 ; learned
printing at Harrisonburg, Va. ; worked in
Providence in 1887 and also in 1889 ; ad-
mitted to No. 33 by card April, 1887 ;
employed on the Boston Post in 1904.
FAUCETTE E. WARD — Born Amherst,
N. S., Aug. 12, 1865, and learned printing
in that, town, beginning in 1881; initiated
into Providence Union Jan. 31, 1886, but
worked here only a short time ; was em-
ployed on the Pawtucket Times when it
started, and was a charter member of
Pawtucket Union ; employed on the Bos-
ton Globe in 1907.
GUY B. WARD — Died New York city.
He was a native of Ohio ; admitted to
Providence Union by card July 30, 1884 ;
worked on the Telegram and Morning Star.
JAMES A. WARD — Was a member of
Providence Union before 1865 ; was fore-
man of the Daily Post in 1863 ; served
in the Civil war from June 8, 1861, to
March 3, 1862 ; 1st Sergt., Co. E., 2d R. I.
Inf.
EDWARD G. WARNER — Born Bristol,
R. I., May 6, 1876; learned trade with
Taylor Card and Printing Co., Providence,
beginning in 1894 ; admitted to Union by
card Oct. 5, 1903 ; now employed on Trib-
une.
WILLIAM WARNER — Born Providence
Jan. 24, 1865 ; learned printing in Tele-
THE JOURNEYMEN
LXXXIX
gram office ; transferred to active list in
Providence Union Sept. 1, 1888; worked
in Providence until 1894, mostly as a
linotype operator on the Journal ; from
1894 to 1906 employed on the Boston
Herald.
HARRY L. WARREN — Born James-
town, N. Y., Nov. 23, 1866 ; learned print-
ing at Fredonia, N. Y., beginning in 1890 ;
initiated into Buffalo Union in 1885 ;
worked in Providence in 1890 ; located on
the New York American and Journal in
1904.
JOHN WATERMAN (Captain) — Died
Providence Feb. 7, 1777, in the 49th year
of his age. He was originally a sailor,
but left the sea and built a paper mill on
the Woonasquatucket river, near Provi-
dence, after the Gazette office was estab-
lished. In 1769 he purchased a press and
types and opened the second printing
office in this town, near his paper mill.
The Gazette said of him : "He sustained
through life the best of characters, viz.,
that of an honest man, . . . and his
great ingenuity and mechanical abilities
render his death a real loss to the pub-
lic."
JOSEPH BROWN WATERMAN (print-
er), son of Asuel Waterman — Died in
Johnston, R. I., Friday, Sept. 10, 1824, in
the 22d year of his age. — Rhode Island
American, Jan. 27, 1824.
WILLIAM J. WATERS — Born Nov. 25,
1888, in Providence; learned printing on
Howard Times, beginning in 1902 ; joined
effort for eight-hour day in 1906 ; he had
been placed in a book and job office in
this city by the institution officials, but
left and joined Providence Union ; now
located in Massachusetts.
GEORGE W. W ATKINS— Born Ports-
mouth, N. H., Nov. 29, 1842 ; learned
printing in that city, beginning in 1859 ;
admitted to Providence Union by card
Sept. 9, 1865 ; worked in this city about
one year. "Thought Providence a nice
town. Was never tired (being a hay-
seed) of counting the banks. One of the
first questions I asked was : 'For God's
sake, how many banks are there in this
town?'" Mr. Watkins is a proofreader on
the New York Times. Has been em-
ployed there about 40 years.
FRANK L. WATSON — Born Biddeford,
Me., May 12, 1859 ; learned printing in
that city, beginning in 1877 ; admitted to
Providence Union by card at the April
meeting, 1886; also at the May meeting,
1889 ; worked at Johnson's, on the Direc-
tory, and on the Telegram ; now proof-
reader on New York Tribune.
J. M. WATSON — Born Philadelphia,
Pa., June 30, 1861 ; learned printing in
that city ; worked in Providence, R. I.,
during Easter week, 1888 ; now located in
Baltimore, Md.
EDWARD G. WEAVER — Born Wash-
ington, D. C., June 22, 1860 ; learned
stereotyping in that city, beginning in
1882 ; worked in Washington on the Star,
Post, National Republican and Congres-
sional Record ; came to Providence in
1890, and has worked on the Journal
since; initiated into No. 33 Aug. 31,1890.
SAMUEL J. WEAVER — Born Pough-
keepsie, N. Y., Aug. 23, 1873 ; learned
printing on the Evening Enterprise of
that city, beginning in 1886 ; worked in
Providence on the News in 1897 ; fore-
man in Millerton, N. Y., in 1905.
CLEMENT WEBSTER — Born Kenne-
bunk, Me., in 1817. At the age of 16
he entered the office of the Saco Demo-
crat as an apprentice. Before the ex-
piration of his apprenticeship he came to
this State. Here he commenced his career
in connection with Mr. Beers of Paw-
tucket in publishing the "Lily of the
Valley." He returned to Maine in the
course of two years, and shortly after
commenced the publication of the York
County Herald in Saco, in connection
with his brother, Dr. Stephen Webster.
In a few years he returned to this State.
Upon the establishment of the Daily Post
in 1850, Mr. Webster occupied the posi-
tion of editor. In 1853, '54 and '55 he
was editor of the Temperance Advocate.
In 1856 he returned to the Post, occu-
pying the editorial chair until a few
months before his death, which occurred
Oct. 16, 1864. The Post said at the time
of his death : "None will be more ready
to concede his strength of mind, force of
language and fullness of resource than
those with whom he came in conflict in
the political struggles of State. Trenchant
in style, direct in argument, few men
chose to expose themselves unnecessarily
to the power of his ridicule or sarcasm.
The strife of parties and the ascerbities
of politics never soured his temper, or
rendered vindictive his disposition."
GEORGE ELDRIDGE WEBSTER (son
of Clement Webster) — Died East Provi-
dence Feb. 24, 1904. He was born in
Lowell, Mass., July 16, 1843. Mr. Web-
ster learned printing in the office of the
Providence Post; initiated into No. 33
July 9, 1864 ; private secretary to Sena-
tor William Sprague ; clerk of Senate
committee on manufactures; 1865 to 1871
in the Pension Office in Washington ;
graduated from Columbia Law College
and admitted to the bar of the District
of Columbia; 1871 to 1875 engaged in
newspaper work in Providence ; 1875
elected clerk of the Court of Common
Pleas of Providence county, afterward,
upon reorganization, the Common Pleas
Division of the Supreme Court, which
position he held continuously up to the
time of his death. As a citizen of East
Providence Mr. Webster represented that
town on the commissions which intro-
duced water service, built the town hall
xc
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
and constructed the Washington bridge.
He was a prominent Mason and Odd
Fellow, member of East Providence Busi-
ness Men's Association, of the R. I. Bar
Association and of the University Club
of Providence.
JAMES WEBSTER — Born London,
England, March 15, 1852 ; he learned
printing in the office of Judd & Glass, of
London, book, newspaper and job busi-
ness; came to Quebec, Canada, in 1871,
and thence to New York city, where he
first worked at his trade in this country ;
he has since worked in many parts of the
United States ; his card was received in
Providence Union Dec. 18, 1904 ; he died
in New York city Dec. 6, 1905, of cere-
bral hemorrhage.
STEPHEN RANDALL WEEDEN —
Born Providence Sept. 22, 1809. At the
age of 16 he entered the establishment
of Smith & Parmenter, publishers of the
Cadet, where he learned the trade of a
printer, following the business for some
years. In 1835 he engaged in booksell-
ing. July 2, 1838, he was elected libra-
rian of the Providence Athenaeum, resign-
ing the position in 1845 on account of ill
health. The following year he became
associated with his uncle, Stephen Ran-
dall, in the manufacture of braided wick-
ing. He was also a partner in the book-
selling firm of Weeden & Peck until
1850. In 1874 he assumed the entire
management of the wicking business, the
firm's name being S. R. Weeden & Son.
ADDINGTON D. WELCH — Born Fred-
ericton, N. B., Dec. 13, 1837 ; died Zanes-
ville, O., 1881 ; learned printing trade and
was member of Boston Union ; its finan-
cial secretary in 1865. and also held the
office of treasurer ; lived in Providence
from 1873 to 1876 ; member of the print-
ing firm of Hammet, Angell & Co., and
in partnership with his brother, W. B.
Welch, printed "Town and Country ;" ad-
mitted to Providence Union by card in
December, 1873 ; also member of Marine
Corps of Artillery, holding the rank of
Major. He devoted much time to lec-
turing.
WILLIAM B. WELCH — Born Freder-
icton, N. B., Feb. 3, 1841 ; learned print-
ing in Fredericton, beginning Feb. 3,
1857 ; worked in Providence in 1875-'76
and published "Town and Country" in
partnership with his brother, Addington
D. Welch ; initiated into Boston Union
August, 1862, and has been a member of
No. 13 ever since; its President in 1870
and 1871 ; I. T. U. delegate to the Mil-
waukee convention in 1900 ; now em-
ployed on Globe.
JOHN WELCH — Was found dead in
Attleboro, Mass., July 14, 1806, near the
turnpike road, northward of Israel Hatch's
tavern. Papers found on his person
showed that he was probably a printer.
A coroner's jury of inquest "was held on
the body, whose verdict, from evidences
produced and examination, was, that he
died in consequence of fatigue, ill health,
want of sleep, and falling asleep on the
ground." The body was decently interred.
He had for a short time worked in the
Providence Gazette office, was said to
have a wife in Newport and respectable
connections in Boston.
SILAS E. WELLER — Died Providence,
of consumption, April 21, 1903. He was
a native of Maryland ; learned printing
in Waynesboro, Pa. ; initiated into Provi-
dence Union June 24, 1900 ; worked at
Remington Printing Co. and on the Eve-
ning Bulletin.
GEORGE JOSEPH WEST — Born Provi-
dence in 1852 ; died at Aughnacloy, Ire-
land, July 21, 1896, whither he had gone
for the benefit of his health. He learned
printing at the office of Marcus B. Young
and worked at the trade when possible
while pursuing his studies at Suffield
(Conn.) Institute and Brown University,
from which he graduated in 1876. Two
years later he finished at Boston Uni-
versity Law School, and was admitted to
the Rhode Island bar, of which he was
one of the leading representatives at the
time of his death. He was a member of
the Legislature in 1885-'86, when he pro-
cured a State charter for Providence
Typographical Union and. was elected an
honorary member of that body. He had
been initiated into Providence Union Dec.
10, 1870. Mr. West represented the Tenth
Ward in the Common Council, 1895-'96,
and was an influential member of the
school committee for many years.
JOHN HARRY WEST — Born Norwich,
Conn., Feb. 7, 1851. He first "touched"
type in the office of the Norwich Daily
Advertiser in April, 1868, finishing his
apprenticeship in New Haven, Conn. He
was admitted to Providence Union by
card December, 1873. For several years
previous to his death, which occurred
Nov. 13, 1906, at Braintree, Mass., he
was employed on the Brockton Times.
EDWARD V. WESTCOTT — Died New-
port Jan. 17, 1904, of heart disease, at the
age of 64. He learned printing in the
Journal job office about the year 1857 ;
went into the Civil war as a private and
was promoted to Second Lieutenant.
After the war he went into the hotel busi-
ness and was proprietor at different times
of the Perry House and Hotel Aquidneck
in Newport, and the Mt. Vernon, the
largest hotel in Baltimore. He was best
known as steward of the steamer Pris-
cilla and other boats of the Fall River
Line. He was a member of the Lawrence
Club of Newport.
FRANCIS J. WHALEN — Born Provi-
dence Sept. 20, 1885 ; learned printing
on News, beginning in 1903; initiated into
Providence Union April 29, 1906.
THE JOURNEYMEN
XCI
JOHN H. WHALEN — Born Providence-
Dec. 11, 1869 ; learned printing in office
of E. A. Johnson & Co., beginning in
1886 ; has worked in various towns in
Rhode Island and on the News and Tele-
gram of this city.
WILLIAM WHEATLY — Born Ratcliffe
Bridge, near Bury, Lancashire, Eng., Feb.
21, 1859 ; learned printing at Glossop,
Derbyshire; came to Providence in 1888,
first working at Reid's ; was initiated into
Providence Union Dec. 30, 1888 ; has
worked in various offices since and in
Boston and Norwood, Mass. His home is
at Lonsdale, R. I.
W. W. WHEELAND — Born Liberty,
Tioga county, Pa. ; learned the trade at
Wellsboro, Pa. ; came to Providence in
1897 and has been employed on the Tele-
gram and Tribune since ; initiated into
Providence Union Feb. 24, 1901.
BENNETT WHEELER — Died Provi-
dence April 13, 1806, in the 52d year of
his age. He was a native of Halifax,
N. S., where he learned the printing-
trade. He came to Providence Sept. 20,
1776, and worked first in the book and
job office of J. Douglass McDougall. In
a few months he went to the Gazette
office, continuing there until December,
1778, when he joined with Solomon South-
wick, and in March, 1779, the firm of
Southwick & Wheeler issued the first
number of the "American Journal and
General Advertiser," the second newspa-
per printed in Providence. Mr. South-
wick retired from the partnership in De-
cember, 1779, and the paper was con-
tinued by Mr. Wheeler alone until Aug.
29, 1781. From Jan. 31, 1781, it had
been a semi-weekly. After the suspen-
sion of the Journal he continued in the
job business. On the 1st of January, 1784,
Mr. Wheeler began the publication of the
United States Chronicle, the third Provi-
dence newspaper. He continued the
Chronicle until Dec. 29, 1803, when he
turned over the paper and business to his
oldest son, John Wheeler. Mr. Wheeler
advertised in the Gazette of Nov. 17,
1804, that he had established a large gen-
eral store "on the Hill, next door east of
Jabez Olney," at the sign of the Silver
Bee-Hive. April 13, 1805, he removed his
store to the house of Mr. Daniel Teft,
nearly opposite the town pump, in Broad
street. During the Revolutionary war
Mr. Wheeler was successively appointed
to the different grades of rank in the
militia; and in 1791 he was Brigade
Major for the county of Providence and
Inspector General of the Militia of the
State.
BENNETT H. WHEELER (son of
Bennett Wheeler) — Born Providence Aug.
18, 1788 ; died there May 17, 1863. He
began to learn printing in 1799 in his
father's office in Providence; in 1804 he
worked in Manning & Loring's office in
Boston, Mass., and in May, 1806, in Port-
land, Me., as a journeyman. In Janu-
ary, 1807, upon the death of William
Olney, publisher of the Providence Phenix,
the office was leased to Mr. Wheeler and
Josiah Jones, and in 1809 they bought the
establishment. Mr. Wheeler was con-
nected with the paper for 16 years, as
editor, and during that time "the paper
was a terror to the Federalists of Rhode
Island." In 1824 he was appointed Post-
master, retaining the office until 1831,
when he was removed by President Jack-
son. From that time until his death Mr.
Wheeler took little interest in public
affairs.
HOWARD H. WHEELER — Born Provi-
dence May 14, 1885 ; learned printing at
E. A. Johnson's, beginning in 1902 ; par-
ticipated in effort for eight-hour day in
1906 ; now located in Providence.
JEWEL R. WHEELER (Miss) —
Learned printing at Fredericton, N. B. ;
initiated into Providence Union Oct. 31,
1897.
JOHN WHEELER (son of Bennett
Wheeler) — Born Providence in 1781. He
learned printing in the office of the United
States Chronicle, and from Dec. 29, 1803,
until May 17, 1804, when .it suspended,
that paper was published by him ; after
the death of his father he administered
the estate; he died in Charleston, S. C.,
in August, 1807.
GEORGE WHELDON — Died Providence
Oct. 7, 1890, aged 61 years. He was a
charter member of Providence Union in
1857 ; national delegate in 1859 ; Presi-
dent in 1864 ; treasurer in 1857-'58 ; al-
ways an aggressive member ; worked at
the business also in Boston.
ETHAN WHIPPLE— Died Providence
April 6, 1865. His name appears in the
directories of this city as a printer, begin-
ning with 1855, when he was employed by
A. Crawford Greene.
AMOS L. WHITE — Born Sanquoit, N.
Y., Dec. 21, 1851 ; learned printing at
Waterville, N. Y. ; admitted to Providence
Union by card July 13, 1872, and worked
in this city on the Journal and Herald.
He is a brother of Arthur F. White. Lo-
cated in New York in 1904.
ARTHUR F. WHITE ("Spec") — Born
Waterville, N. Y., July 18, 1847; learned
printing in that town, beginning in 1863 ;
worked in Providence on the Herald, Star
and Journal ; admitted to Providence
Union by card May 28, 1884 ; has travelled
extensively, visiting Providence May 13,
1904.
HENRY T. WHITE — Born Stamford,
Conn., in 1855 ; learned printing in New
York city. Mr. White was working in
Providence in 1883 when the movement
that resulted in the reorganization of No.
33 was in progress and contributed very
much to its success. His card was third
on the list at the meeting of April 8 ; in
1907 he was a proofreader on the New
York Herald.
XCII
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
ISAAC H. WHITING — Born Norwich,
Conn., April 26, 1823 ; served an appren-
ticeship to the printing business there
with Marcus B. Young ; came to Provi-
dence in 1840, "just after the great ox-
roasting on Smith's Hill," working first
on the New Age, a Dorrite sheet, and
later on the Express. Afterward Mr.
Whiting was foreman of the Woonsocket
Patriot, and for 13 years, until 1861, was
foreman of the General Advertiser, when
he retired to his father-in-law's farm in
North Kingstown. He remained on the
farm but one year, when he again came
to this city, working on the Evening Press
as compositor and foreman. In a few
years he returned to the farm, staying
there until 1876, when Mr. S. S. Foss of
Woonsocket started the Daily Patriot and
employed Mr. Whiting as foreman. "His
fingers had been itching for the little
types." In a few months he left the
Patriot and ended his career as a printer
on the Providence Journal, retiring to the
farm when his health began to give way.
He died at his residence on Quidnesset
Neck, between East Greenwich and Wick-
ford, Sept. 9, 1888, it is supposed by sui-
cide. At the funeral, which was from the
old Dyer homestead at Davisville, Messrs.
Fred B. Amsden and James Allen, the
aeronaut, represented the craft as bear-
ers. His body was conveyed to the fam-
ily lot in a farm wagon, accompanied by
a large number of friends and neighbors.
In 1846 Mr. Whiting married Lydia A.
Dyer, eldest daughter of Samuel D. Dyer
of North Kingstown. Mr. Whiting's name
stands at the head of the list of initiations
into Providence Union, April 18, 1857.
WALTER R. WHITTEMORE — Born in
Lynn, Mass., Oct. 22, 1880; learned the
printing trade in the office of the Evening
Telegram ; he was initiated into Provi-
dence Typographical Union Feb. 24, 1901.
JOHN N. WHITTEM — Learned printing
in Portsmouth, N. H. ; admitted to Provi-
dence Union by card April 25, 1897 ; I. T.
U. delegate from Boston to Chicago con-
vention in 1893 ; located in Boston in 1907.
DAVID A. WILBUR — Born Little Comp-
ton, R. I., Jan. 5, 1838; learned the print-
ing trade in Fall River, Mass. ; came to
Providence in 1879, and has worked in
this city since ; initiated into Providence
Union April 29, 1900.
HERMAN J. WILBUR — Born Quidnick,
R. I., Oct. 22, 1866 ; learned printing in
Gazette and Chronicle office, Pawtucket,
R. I., beginning Oct. 1, 1882 ; initiated
into Providence Union Oct. 28, 1900;
worked in this city since 1892 ; foreman
for J. C. Hall Co. from March 21, 1889,
to Aug. 1, 1900 ; foreman Loose Leaf Co.
in 1907.
CHARLES P. WILLARD— Born Spring-
field, Mass., April 19, 1847; died Provi-
dence June 2, 1907 ; began to learn print-
ing in New Haven and in his youth trav-
elled extensively in the Eastern States ;
he deposited card with No. 33 on June 8,
1872, and worked almost steadily from
that time until 1890 on the Journal; after
the linotypes had displaced hand compo-
sition on that paper he was employed for
a time on the Telegram; in 1897 he went
to the Pawtucket Times, where he worked
the last ten years of his life. He was one
of the swiftest of the hand typesetters,
easily setting 2000 ems per hour.
GEORGE O. WILLARD — Died Provi-
dence Dec. 2, 1903 ; learned printing in
office of Gazette and Chronicle, Paw-
tucket; June, 1860, he started the Paw-
tucket Observer ; under Sidney Dean's
management of the Evening Press, Mr.
Willard was city editor; April 30, 1885,
in company with George Cooley, he started
the Pawtucket Evening Times, and con-
tinued control of it until Jan. 31, 1890;
he was initiated into Providence Union
May 4, 1857, and placed on the honorary
list Oct. 15, 1864. Mr. Willard wrote a
"History of the Providence Stage, 1762-
1891," published in 1891.
EDWARD A. WILLCOX — His name ap-
pears in the Directory of 1850 as a printer
and for several years in the 50's he
worked for A. Crawford Greene. He was
a charter member of Providence Typo-
graphical Union; Vice President in 1862,
President in 1862, '64 and '68, delegate in
1868. He died July 27, 1876. The fol-
lowing, printed in the Journal of Aug. 2,
1876, was written by George W. Daniel-
son when he heard of the death of his
friend : "Ned. — A score of years ago Ned
was a young man of abundant promise.
Possessing a good mind, sound health,
genial disposition and industrious habits,
he entered upon the arena of life with
courage and hope. He was an intelli-
gent, well-trained workman, and might
easily have been a master among his fel-
lows. For some years all went well with
Ned. But there was an element of ruin
at work. His companionable qualities were
leading him astray. The occasional social
glass was creating and stimulating an
appetite that was to drag him down. By-
and-by Ned became indifferent to his
work. Employers could not rely upon
him, and employment was fitful and un-
certain. But the appetite was craving,
steady, undying — consuming health and
making a wreck of manhood. After a piti-
ful struggle for existence upon the charity
of sympathizing fellow craftsmen came
the almshouse and the shelter of a pau-
per's grave. And so it was told the other
day in the places that once knew him, that
Ned was dead. Poor Ned ! If only the
warning of your sad career shall turn
back some not yet hopelessly drawn into
the maelstrom of ruin, you will not have
died — as you lived — in vain."
CHARLES G. WILKINS — Born Glen-
head, Scotland, March 28, 1846; learned
printing in Dundee, Scotland, beginning in
THE JOURNEYMEN
XCIH
1859; admitted to Providence Union by
card at the December meeting, 1887 ;
prominent in labor organization ; ex-Mas-
ter Workman Knights of Labor ; ex-Presi-
dent American Federation of Labor of
Massachusetts ; ex-organizer I. T. U. ; ex-
organizer N. E. Allied Trades ; 5th Vice
President N. E. A. T. ; worked on Jour-
nal and Telegram in Providence ; em-
ployed as proofreader at Boston City
Printing Office in 1907.
BENONI WILLIAIMS — Died Boston,
Mass., Nov. 2, 1817, aged 72 years. He
started "The Impartial Observer" in
Providence Jan. 10, 1801, and continued
its publication until March 6, 1802. It
was the first Republican ( Jeffersonian
Democratic) paper printed in this city.
CHARLES W. WILLIAMS — Born North
Providence, Dec. 3, 1878; died Pawtucket
April 20, 1906 ; learned printing with J. A.
& R. A. Reid and on the News, beginning
in 1896 ; initiated into Providence Union
March 25, 1899 ; assistant foreman of the
News at time of death ; brother of Irving
Williams.
DAVID E. WILLIAMS — Born 1878;
died Salem, N. J., Dec. 9, 1906 ; learned
printing in Standard office, Salem, N. J. ;
initiated into Providence Union March 23,
1899; held card No. 4872 in New York
Union at death.
DAVID H. WILLIAMS — Born Provi-
dence ; learned printing in office of J. A.
& R. A. Reid ; initiated into Providence
Union April 29, 1894 ; worked here since
1888.
FERDINAND A. WILLIAMS — Born
Providence Jan. 21, 1866 ; learned printing
at What Cheer Printing Co. and worked
at the business for several of the leading
firms until 1894, when he engaged in the
wholesale liquor business ; selling out in
1900, he returned to the printing busi-
ness, and is at present (1907) employed
on the Boston Globe ; he was initiated into
Providence Union Oct. 29, 1887.
GEORGE C. WILLIAMS — Born Provi-
dence in 1875 ; learned printing on the
News, beginning in 1891 ; worked in this
city at Snow & Farnham's and other book
and job offices until 1898, except a year
or so on the Pawtuxet Valley Gleaner ;
since October, 1898, in the Government
Printing Office at Washington, D. C.
IRVING WILLIAMS — Born in 1881;
learned printing with Williams & Fricker,
Providence, R. I., beginning in 1898;
worked in New Orleans, La., and Peters-
burg, 111. ; applied for admission to Union
No. 124, Bloomington, 111., May, 1903 ; was
working in Wakefield and Wickford, R. I.,
in 1905 ; brother of Charles W. Williams.
JAMES WILLIAMS — Died Providence
June 28, 1889, aged 56 years, 3 months
and 7 days. He had been employed in the
Journal composing room for a number of
years ; was initiated into Providence Union
April 29, 1888. He was a brother of A.
M. Williams, editor of the Journal from
1883 to 1891. The Union records show
that the death benefit due the estate of
James Williams was generously presented
to the Union by his brother, A. M. Wil-
liams.
SAMUEL J. WILLIAMS — Printed the
Providence Phoenix for T. A. Foster & Co.
in 1802 ; member of firm of Heaton & Wil-
liams in 1804.
GEORGE W. WILSON — Born New
York city Feb. 28, 1844 ; learned printing
in Jacob's newspaper, book and job office
in that city, beginning in 1860; initiated
into Providence Union April 8, 1883;
worked on the Star and Telegram, 1881 to
1890 ; employed on Boston Traveler 1905.
JOHN H. WILSON — Born St. Louis,
Mo. ; worked in Meriden, Conn., in 1868 ;
admitted to Providence Union by card
Aug. 13, 1870; worked on the Journal;
died in this city or in Boston, Mass.
JOHN HOWELL WILSON — His name
appears in the Directory in 1844-'47 as
a printer. In 1846 he was a partner with
J. M. Church in the publication of the
Daily Gazette, having charge of the me-
chanical departments.
SAMUEL S. WILSON — Died Provi-
dence Oct. 28, 1904, aged 91 years, 10
months and 1 day. He had held the dis-
SAMUEL S. WILSON.
tinction of "oldest printer in Rhode Is-
land" since Dec. 8, 1886, succeeding Rob-
ert M. Pearse. Mr. Wilson was born in
Newport, R. I., although his parents were
residents of Providence. He began to
XCIV
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
learn printing in the Journal office in
1827 at the age of 13 and served a seven
years' apprenticeship. In 1834 he started
the first penny newspaper published in
New England, the Penny Post. For a
time he did all the work on this paper,
including delivery to the subscribers. The
circulation reached 2000. He sold the
business to Cyril Carpenter in 1835 and
removed to New Bedford, working there
on the Gazette, Mercury and Register. In
1842 he returned to Providence and be-
came pressman on the Journal. In 1856,
when the first Hoe cylinder was installed
in the Journal pressroom, Mr. Wilson went
to the. Post. In 1863 he came back to the
Journal, remaining with that paper until
1872, when he retired permanently. He
was a vigorous man until within a few
days of his death, took a keen interest in
events and made regular visits to the
Journal office. His birthdays were noted
in the columns of that paper.
WILLIAM H. WILSON — Learned print-
ing with John Carter in the Gazette office
previous to 1814. He was a partner with
H. H. Brown in the purchase of the Ga-
zette office from Carter in February, 1814,
and continued that partnership until June,
1816, when the business was purchased by
Brown.
A. H. WILTZ — Born Princeton, 111.,
Jan. 13, 1851 ; began to learn printing in
1862 at Peoria, 111. ; worked in New York
city in 1872 ; wintered in Meriden, Conn.,
in 1872-'73 ; admitted to Providence Union
May 10, 1873, and worked here on the
Journal until December; located at 1274
West Van Buren street, Chicago, in 1905.
JOHN O. WINTERMUTE — Died New
York city May 18, 1880. He was admit-
ted to Providence Union by card Oct. 12,
1874, and worked on the Journal.
ALVAH WITHEE — Born in Maine;
served in the Civil war in the 5.th Maine
Regiment and was severely wounded in
the leg at the battle of South Mountain ;
admitted to Providence Union by card
April 22, 1883 ; worked for many years on
the Journal as compositor and copyholder ;
also worked in Boston.
CHARLES A. WITTING — Born Chi-
cago, 111., Oct. 31, 1866 ; learned printing
in office of Witting & Sons, Chicago, be-
ginning in 1882 ; worked in Providence at
Remington's and in Central Falls at E. L.
Freeman's ; initiated into Providence
Union Jan. 25, 1903 ; located in Worces-
ter, Mass., in 1905.
HERMAN J. WOLFERS — Was drowned
at Dunkirk, N. Y. ; he worked in Provi-
dence on the Journal in 1874.
WILLIAM M. WOOD — Was admitted to
Providence Union by card in 1877 ; he
worked on the Journal for several years ;
lived in Syracuse in 1906.
ALBERT WALLACE WTOODCOCK —
Born England Feb. 2, 1869 ; learned print-
ing in Manchester, England ; has worked
in Providence since 1892 ; initiated into
Providence Union January, 1899 ; mana-
ger of the printing firm of Wm. R. Brown
in 1907.
JAMES WRIGLEY— Born Oldham, Eng-
land, Feb. 17, 1863 ; learned printing in
that city, beginning in 1876 ; admitted to
Providence Union by card in February,
1886, and again in 1903 ; employed on the
New York Herald in 1907.
DAVID P. WYMAN (Pete) — Born New
York city, where he also learned the print-
ing trade ; worked in Providence on the
Journal 1884 to 1886 ; admitted to No. 33
by card Aug. 27, 1884 ; located in Boston
on the Herald in 1907.
Initiated Into Providence Typographical
Union on Dates Named:
WILLIAM J. WALSH, Jan. 29, 1893.
FRANK C. WANDELL, Feb. 26, 1893.
FRANK J. WEBER, Dec. 18, 1892.
EDWIN H. WHITE, Oct. 10, 1868.
H. W. WHITE, Feb. 27, 1887.
LEWIS WHITE, July 13, 1872.
HARRY WICKHAM, July 27, 1890.
DANIEL G. WIGHTMAN, April 28,
1901. In sawmill business at Southbridge,
PERCY A. WILBUR, Feb. 28, 1892.
HENRY L. WILLIAMS, July 31, 1892.
WILLIAM J. WATSON, June 26, 1892.
GEORGE E. WRIGHT, Dec. 10, 1870.
A. E. WRIGGLESWORTH.Dec. 28,1890.
ARTHUR C. WYER, May 17, 1888.
Admitted by Card on Dates Named:
THOMAS WADE, Jan. 30, 1884.
JOHN F. WALKER, from New York,
April 10, 1869.
CHRISTOPHER C. WALL, November,
1888.
FRED. A. WARD, August, 1886.
JAMES WARD, from Boston, May 11,
1872.
J. F. WARD, March, 1888.
E. A. WARREN, March 11, 1871.
MARION L. WARREN (Miss), from
Waltham, Mass., April 30, 1905.
D. J. WATERS, September, 1887.
ROBERT O. WATERS, May 29, 1898.
H. G. WEIR, Jan. 29, 1893.
GEORGE H. WESTFIELD, April 8,
1883. Reported dead.
G. T. WETMORE, January, 1886. Re-
ported died in Newark, N. J.
O. P. WHARTON, March, 1888.
SAMUEL WHEELER, Aug. 29, 1897.
B. J. WHITE, Jan. 27, 1901.
JOHN F. WHITE, from Washington,
D. C., Aug. 8, 1868.
M. B. WHITEHEAD, Nov. 30, 1885.
Reported dead.
C. H. WILDER, February, 1888.
F. A. WILLIAMS, Oct. 14, 1871.
H. O. WILLIAMS, Aug. 13, 1870; Aug.
8, 1874.
THE JOURNEYMEN
XCV
A. F. WILSON, February. 1886.
DANIEL WILSON, 1885.
FREDERICK E. WILSON, Feb. 8, 1873.
ISAAC F. WILSON, December, 1884.
J. H. WISE, April 28, 1901.
CHARLES H. WITHERUP, from Pitts-
burg, Pa., Sept. 14, 1867.
E. J. WOOD, Sept. 30, 1883.
H. C. WOODNUT, October, 1886.
Names from Providence Directory:
GEORGE W. WARREN — 1836-'38; lat-
ter year worked over 15 Market square.
WILLIAM A. WELLES — 1824; worked
at Gazette Office.
GEORGE WHEATON — 1830; member
firm of Stearns & Wheaton.
GEORGE WILBUR — 1857.
DANIEL H. WILLIAMS — 1850 at 25
Westminster street ; 1863 at Journal office.
GEORGE WISE — 1830 ; worked at
Patriot office.
Printers Known to Have Worked Here :
JOHN WHALEN — Learned on Evening
Bulletin; died in 1874.
PATRICK WHALEN — Learned on Eve-
ning Bulletin; died in 1870. George W.
Danielson administered his estate.
DANIEL H. WHITE — Worked for R. I.
Printing Co. ; now 655 on "Big Six" list.
JAMES WHITLY — Worked on Journal
in 1884.
DWIGHT STANLEY WHITTEMORE,
M. D. — Born in 1864 ; worked at Reid's
and for R. I. Printing Co. ; in 1905 located
in Brockton, Mass.
JOHN L. WILLIAMS— No. 4940 in 1905
on list of "Big Six."
JAMES WILLIAMSON— Noted "tour-
ist;" visited Providence as early as 1868.
JOHN A. WINSLOW (Chick)— Last
heard of in Greenfield, Mass.
EDWARD W. WOODLEY — Worked at
R. I. Printing Co. ; later conducted a
printing supply house in Boston.
JAMES B. YERRINGTON — Born Dec.
4, 1800; died Oct. 17, 1866. He learned
printing in the office of Hugh H. Brown ;
in company with William Goodell he es-
tablished the Philanthropist and Investi-
gator, published in Boston and Provi-
dence ; later, at Amherst, Mass., he edited
and published the Amherst Gazette ; he
•was for a time foreman of the Boston
Daily Advocate; in 1845 and until it died
he was printer of the Liberator, for Gar-
rison and Phillips.
GEORGE C. S. YOUNG — Died Provi-
dence Dec. 18, 1873, aged 52 years. The
Directory of 1844 gives his occupation as
printer.
MARCUS B. YOUNG — Died Provi-
dence Nov. 8, 1883, aged 73 years. He
came to this city from Norwich, Conn.,
where he had conducted a printing office.
In 1844 he was a compositor on the Jour-
nal. Probably he moved his office from
Norwich to this city and eventually de-
voted his entire attention to it. In 1870
he sold to A. S. Reynolds, and retired
from the business.
EDGAR YATES — Born Biddeford, Me.,
March 1, 1856; learned printing in Port-
land, Me. ; initiated into Providence Union
June 25, 1884, and in 1882, '83 and '84
was of the Journal composing room force.
In the fall of 1884 he went to work on
the Boston Advertiser, and after two
years at the case became night city edi-
tor. Subsequently he was on the Boston
Globe as New England editor and as ex-
change editor. From 1894 to 1900 he was
managing editor of the Biddeford (Me.)
Daily Journal, in the latter year returning
to Boston. He is Past Chancellor of
Horace Geeley lodge, Knights of Pythias,
EDGAR YATES.
and has been Grand Representative. He
is interested in Colonial history, and has
written a genealogy of the Yates family
and a history of the early Morgans of
Essex county. He has done more or less
newspaper and magazine work. In 1906
Bowdoin College conferred on him the hon-
orary degree of B. A. ; now of the Boston
Post.
Initiated Into Providence Typographical
Union on Dates Named:
A. R. YOUNG, Aug. 8, 1857. His name
is on the original charter granted by the
National Union.
F. E. YOUNG, Dec. 11, 1869.
Admitted by Card on Date Named:
JOHN YOUNGJOHN, June 8, 1872.
JAMES F. ZIMMERMAN — Born Ken-
tucky in 1862 ; learned printing in Dan-
ville, Ky., on the Advocate; applied for
membership in Woonsocket Union March,
1901 ; admitted to Providence Union by
card May 29, 1904 ; worked for several
years on Telegram.
XCVI
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
Received Too Late for Classification:
EDWARD A. BLACKBURN — Born
Providence Jan. 21, 1887 ; learned printing
in Visitor office, beginning in 1902 ; now
employed there,
HENRY W. CHRISTIAN — Born New-
ton, Mass. ; died Providence Sept. 10, 1885,
aged 45 years ; he began to learn print-
ing in Newton ; in the Civil war he served
in Co. B, 43d Mass. Vols. ; after the war
he took up printing again, working on the
Fall River News, and later on the Provi-
dence Journal, where he was employed at
time of death.
THOMAS P. CURTIN — Born North
Chelmsford, Mass., March 6, 1870 ; learned
printing on the Cambridge (Mass.) Chroni-
cle; worked in Providence in 1894; also
in Woonsocket on the Evening Call ; I. T.
U. delegate from Boston to the conven-
tions of Birmingham (1903) and Colorado
Springs (1906) ; secretary of Boston
Union in 1907.
WARREN L. HOPKINS — Born Wick-
ford, R. I. ; began work in Providence for
Livermore & Knight in 1882 ; promoted to
foremanship in 1888; in business at Bent-
ley Harbor, Mich., 1892-94; returned to
Providence and resumed charge at Liver-
more & Knight's in 1894 ; now general
superintendent of that establishment.
J. ELLERY HUDSON — Born Sept. 23,
1850 ; learned printing in Phenix, R. I.,
with E. G. Lanphear, beginning in 1869 ;
worked in Providence at the What Cheer
office 1873-'76; on the Pawtuxet Valley
Gleaner 1876-1899 as foreman and busi-
ness manager ; now State Factory In-
spector.
JOHN A. LaPORTE — Born Waterville,
Vt., Sept. 11, 1864; educated at Lamoille
Central Academy, Hyde Park, Vt., and
University of Vermont ; began to learn
printing in 1878 in Lamoille News office,
Hyde Park, Vt., and worked in that office
about seven years ; foreman Vermont
Union at Lyndon, Vt., in 1890, and in
1893 became its publisher; also owned
The Temperance Herald and had a half-
interest in the Lyndonville Journal ; in
1880 devised a calendar blotting pad, said
to be the first use of a calendar on a pad ;
also originated the assembled "religious
notes" column, and collaborated the coun-
try news under one general head, said to
be the first classification of general news
in country papers; in 1887 became a.
member of Mt. Vernon Lodge, A. F. and
A. M., in Morrisville, Vt. Mr. La Porte
came to Providence in 1905 ; the next
year he worked in Campello, Mass.
FREDERICK L. MacCARTY — Born
Michigan in 1866; began to learn printing
in Sacramento in 1882 ; admitted to Provi-
dence Union by card August, 1907 ; now
employed on Journal as linotype operator.
F. J. McGARRITY — Born Brooklyn,
N. Y., Jan. 29, 1860; learned printing in
New York city, on the Irish World ;
worked in Providence at Various times ;
now employed on Boston Globe.
Civil War Veterans:
James Allen, aeronaut for U. S. Army.
Thomas Allen, Lieut. Co. B, 5th H. A.
Lindsey Anderson, Corp. Co. A, 2d Inf.
Lewis L. M. Arnold, Navy.
Henry A. Barnes, 6th N. Y. Cavalry.
Geo. W. Barry, Berdan's Sharpshooters.
John Baxter, Co. H., llth Inf.
Adelbert M. Beers, Navy.
James L. Bicknell, Corp. Co. C, 5th H. A.
W. P. Bittman.
Robert P. Boss, Navy.
Josiah B. Bowditch, 9th Vermont.
Nelson Boyle, Co. I, llth Inf.
S. W. Burbank, Sergt. Co. B, 5th H. A.
Joseph R. Burgess, Sergt. Co. C, 3d H.A.
Edward A. Carter, 26th Illinois.
Geo. F. Chapman, 150th and 177th Ohio.
Franklin A. Chase, Capt. Co. K, 4th Inf.
William H. Chenery, Sergt. Co. D, 5th
H. A. ; Capt. Co. G, 14th Inf.
Henry W. Christian, Co. B, 43d Mass. Inf.
Rhodes T. W. Collins, Corp. Co. F, 4th Inf.
William E. Cook, 2d Mass. H. A.
Michael Donnelly, Co. B, 2d Inf.
P. J. Donovan, Mass. Vols. and U. S. Reg.
James H. Elsbree, Co. D, 3d H. A.
William F. Elsbree, Co. B, llth Inf.
J. H. Fairbrother, Corp. Bat. D, 1st L. A.
George W. Ford, Sergt. Co. D, 5th H. A.
E. C. Gardiner, Co. D, 2d ; Co. C, 21st Inf.
Benj. L. Glasby, Corp. Co. E, 5th H. A.
Eben Gordon, Co. C, 2d Inf.
Charles C. Gray, Lieut. Bat. D, 1st L. A.
A. C. Greene, Capt. Co. G, 10th Inf.
Nathaniel C. Greene, Co. H., 2d Inf.
Benjamin L. Hall, Sergt. Co. A, 1st Inf. ;
Capt. Co. I, 5th H. A.
Edward B. Hall, Co. K, llth Inf.
T. M. Harker, 79th N. Y. Highlanders.
John B. Ingraham, Co. B, 2d Inf.
C. E. Jillson, 1st Conn. Inf. ; 1st Conn. Bat.
Henry B. Ladd, Co. D, 2d Inf.
Francis E. Kelly, Corp. Co. D, 2d Inf.
George P. Lawrence, Corp. Co. C, 4th Inf.
Jphn B. Lincoln, Sergt. Co. D, 2d Inf.
Edward P. Lothrop, 22dMass. ; also Navy.
William A. Luther, Co. G, 2d Inf.
D. A. McCann, Co. F, 1st Inf. ; Co. I, 7th Inf.
James McGuinn, Co. B, 7th Inf.
Charles T. McKinley.
Joseph S. Milne, Lieut. Bat. B, 1st L. A.
William O. Milne, Sergt. Bat. D, 1st L. A.
James Moran, Capt. Co. D, 5th H. A.
Elias S. Nickerson, Navy.
George H. Pettis, Capt. 1st California.
L. O. Phinney, 1st N. Y. Mounted Rifles.
Orrin Scott Pond, Co. B, 10th Inf.
John H. Porthouse, Co. H, 3d H. A.
Edward Quinn, Mass. Regt.
Charles W. Rexford, Co. G, 15th U. S. Inf.
Francis W. Rhodes, Bat. D, 1st L. A.
Edward B. Rose, Navy.
Marvin Ryan, Corp. Bat. H, 1st L. A.
Thomas Simpson, Capt. Bat. F, 1st L. A.
John Francis Smith, 14th Conn.
Benoni Sweet, Sergt. Major Co. H, 2d Inf.
W. K. Sweet, 1st L. B. ; Bat. A, 1st L. A.
Charles Tillinghast, Capt. Co. H, 4th Inf.
James A. Ward, 1st Sergt. Co. E, 2d Inf.
E.V.Westcott, Co. L, 9th ; Lieut. 12th Inf.
Alvah Withee, 5th Maine.
SUBSCRIBERS
James Abbott
E. A. Carter
E. N. Griffith
J. F. McKenna
Philip Agnew
J. H. Cadigan
J. J. Horton
James Moore
F. B. Amsden
D. C. Chace
MatthewHarkins,D.D.
F. C. Madden
William Abell
A. B. Christy
F. H. Rowland
Samuel McCarthy
Eli Alford
M. Cardin
C. H. Rowland
A. F. Moran
J. W. Allen
W. L. Casey
J. E. Hurley
James Muftay
Robert Adams
J. D. Carney
G. W. Hope
J. W. Mahoney
S. H. Bullock
J. E. Canning
G. T. Hillsman
S. R. Macready
L. A. Basinet
T. F. Cooney
Robert Hunt
C. H. Martin
J. A. Burroughs
Charles Burlingham
H. R. Davis
F. L. Dayton
I. C. Hargraves
J. D. Hall, Jr.
Charles Mercier
F. J. MacKay
J. W. Butler
J. R. Day
D. A. Hurley
E. A. Murphy
N. F. Bertherman
J. J. Dillon
Ephriam Harris
M. J. McHugh
T. F. Bowen
S. G. Durffy (Miss)
Frederick Hall
Hellen Miller (Miss)
G. H. Brown
C. W. Drinkwater
Robert Hardie
J. E. McClintock
H. C. Barnes
W. H. Doran
J. C. Hazard
J. T. Maguire
H. N. Burrett
T. H. Donahue
Max Hoffman
L. F. Mullen
James Byrnes
V. De Fina
J. W. Hogan
T. L. Milne
John Burger
J. E. Devenish
J. E. Hudson
Robert Miller
James Bogues
Rudolph DeLeeuw
T. H. Holton
T. M. Mackay
W. E. Bode
A. A. Devenish
D. F. Hayden
Walter McGinn
H. G. Belcher
William Donovan
0. J. Hammall
Peter McArdle
C. A. Boeker
Joseph Dove
William Hughes
F. W. Marshall
Virgil Blackinton
J. J. Dwyer
M. E. Hughes
J. J. Murphy
A. W. Brown
J. P. Dorl
G. H. Huston
A. P. Munroe
M.B.Babcock(Miss)
M. S. Dwyer
Ernest Irons
Mayme Murphy( Miss )
J. P. Bowditch
T. F. Dwyer
C. H. Johnson
R. E. Newton
R. B. Buchanan
D. J. Dwyer
W. H. Johnson
J. C. Nixon
J. A. Belcher
John Doran
P. M. Jacques
Walter Norton
S. S. Blaisdell M. Co.
J. I. Devlin
F. W. Jones
Frank Nester
J.A.Barnes (Mrs.)
E. A. Emery
F. R. Jeleff
Ernest Norfolk
Brown Uni. Library
Virgilio Escobar
J. P. Keenan
Henry Norfolk
A. H. Barney
Joseph Ehrlich
Harry Kauffman
Daniel O'Connor
E.H.Burroughs(Miss)
Edward Fuller
John Keife
C. S. Ogden
William Carroll
George Farnell
E. H. Kirby
Albert Olyott
Bernard Conaty
T. F. Farrell
E. T. Klausch
Harry O'Hara
G. F. Chapman
Ralph Freeman
C. W. Littell
J. J. O'Rourke
A. S. Carroll (Miss)
G. W. Flynn
H. B. Ladd
J. F. O'Hara
C. C. Cusick
Frank Farley
C. H. Lee
E. DeV. O'Connor
A. M. Crowell
W. H. Farley
W. P. Linn
A. H. Olney
F. J. Costello
C. F. Freese
J. J. Livingstone
T. A. O'Gorman
C. B. Coppen
A. G. Field
J. A. La Porte
T. F. O'Rourke
F. J. Capron
Alexander Fricker
Carl Lisker
William Palmer
J. P. Carroll
J. H. Flanagan
J. F. Lennon
H. R. Palmer
W. J. Charnley
J. E. C. Farnham
J. P. Lyons
T. H. Phillips
W. P. Cantwell
R. H. I. Goddard
Michael Leddy
H. W. Potter
H. F. Carroll
Rathbone Gardner
R. E. Lacy
J. A. Powers
P. J. Cantwell
D. L. D. Granger
J. P. Lenahan
E. L. Pike
Thomas Cashman .
W. A. Gallagher
J. J. Locklin
G. H. Pettis
Felix Crane
Robert Grieve
W. J. Meegan
W. C. Poland
Benjamin Conway
C. C. Gray
Charles Matteson
H. W. Preston
F. J. Carpenter
J. W. Gugluicci
W. H. Munro
Preston & Rounds Co.
F. A. Chase
J. H. Gorman
A. P. Martin
J. R. Rathom
F. A. Cushman
T. J. Griffin, Jr.
James Moran
A. M. Robertson
C. R. Christie
J. L. Gerhard
A. E. Morrill
Malcolm Ross
R. F. Carroll
Harry Glasby
F. R. Martin
C. J. Rothemich
M. J. Crofwell
Thomas Graham
P. J. McCarthy
L. F. Reeney
Joseph Crowley
George Gilbert
J. H. Matthews
E. B. Rose
Charles Carroll
L. F. C. Garvin
Joseph Meanorhan
A J. Rose
J. A. Cahill
J. S. Gettler
W. H. Mason
J. F. Russell
George Clayton
W. J. Gilbert
J. A. Morse
C. C. Robb
Joseph Choquet
S. A. Gibson
F. M. Mills
M. D. Rogers
F. H. Campbell
J. M. Gillrain
T. A. Miller
T. E. Ritchie
J. P. Cullen
Samuel Gee
Anita Metivier(Miss)
E. J. Rogan
J. F. Corcoran
L. A. Grace
J. F. Matthews
N. S. Reiner
XCVIII
PRINTERS AND PRINTING IN PROVIDENCE
G. B. Sullivan
H. A. Corey
NATICK, R. I.
WESTERLY, R. I.
J. H. Sullivan
J. P. Dolan
R. N. Lawton
T. E. Lahey
John Shea
W. F. Sholes
W. F. Elsbree
C. H. Finley
WORCESTER, MASS.
J. C Adams
ATTLEBORO, MASS.
N. J. Riley
W. H. Smith
William Shaw
N. J. Sweet
Fred Smith
William Scott
F. G. Sullivan
G. E. Shepard
P. A. Schroen
C. A. Salisbury
E. W. Smith
A. C. Sparks
Joseph Samuels
Leon Samuels
L. G. Finley
Stanley Grant
F. W. Geer
J. C. Kuril
F. H. Leonard
M. B. Martin
J. H. McCarthy
John McCauley
W. J. Melvin
Henry McMahon
J. A. O'Neill
R. A. Reid
Thomas Rushton
P. H. Beahn
Samuel Clarke
A. J. Duggan
J. F. Duggan
T. T. Ellis
W. E. Mahoney
W. A. Newgent
J. H. Russell
NEW YORK.
David Evans
R. J. Faulkner
J. H. Fitz
Ralph Engley
SAN FRANCISCO, CAL.
W. J. French
G. H. Pettis, Jr.
HARTFORD, CONN.
Sam Pfund
E. T. Morse
J. G. Bacon
John Murray
James Muspratt
NORWICH, CONN.
R. J. Clowes
D. H. Sheahan
N. J. Rodgers
W. J. Ghent
W. F. Metzger
W. W. Scott
Frank Ranagan
A. C. Howell
NEW HAVEN, CONN.
Walter Scott
Charles Rolfe
E. B. Hall
Daniel O'Donnell
J. J. Sherry
H. F. Smith
W. D. McKenzie
CATSKILL, N. Y.
Standard Printing Co.
T. C. Stephenson
J. J. Murphy
J. J. Devlin
J. M. Tally
S. I. Tonjoroff
C. T. Scott
W. R. Templeman
J. H. Porthouse
Los ANGELES, CAL.
BROCKTON, MASS.
W. C. Harcus
P. F. Tierney
E. P. Tobie
C. W. Taylor
F. E. Ward
B. C. Truman
MANCHESTER, N. H.
BALTIMORE, MD.
Ac Ahpll
F. J. Tulley
W. S. Turney
I. N. Tew
Willis Tobie
S.M.Tillinghast(Mrs.)
W. B. Welch
D. P. Wyman
George Watkins
F. A. Williams
C. G. Wilkins
J. A. Fitzgerald
ST. Louis, Mo.
J. A. Reid
WOONSOCKET, R. I.
. O. /\l)(_Il
C. S. Abell
W. W. Abell
Johns Hopkins Uni.
G. P. Nichols
P. J. Trumpler
Edgar Yates
F. E. Kelly
LAWRENCE, MASS.
N. M. Wright
PAWTUCKET.
A. J. McConnell
R. S. Maloney
W. J. Waters
WATERBURY, CONN.
CHICAGO, ILL.
A. W. Woodcock
G. H. Burroughs
R. F. Kenneth
W. S. Menaman
Francis Whalen
George Webb
H. J. Wilbur
Howard Wheeler
E. Wedhoff
D. H. Whittemore
L. A. Waterman
W. H. Bussey
R. M. Browning
Ambrose Choquet
C. L. Crocker
J. J. Fitzgerald
J. H. Gunning
W. W. Haskins
LOUISVILLE, KY.
J. J. Martin /
WASHINGTON, D. C.
W. M. Leavitt
Anna Wilson
A. P. E. Doyle
CRANSTON, R. I.
W. T. Robertson
HOPE VALLEY, R. I.
E. T. Spencer
UNIONS.
Louisville, No. 10
J. E Walsh
C. D. Judson
ZANESVILLE, OHIO.
Boston, No. 13
F. E Young
BOSTON, MASS.
C. E. Andrews
Am. Type F'd's Co.
B. D. Belyea
M. L. Bouret
H. W. Burns
Thomas Kenyon
E. J. Lennon
M. B. Moriarty
W. M. Peckham
Lester Upham
Alfred Poloquin
M. J. Rafferty
R. W. Hocking
FALL RIVER, MASS.
John Moffitt
NEW BEDFORD, MASS.
William Lewis
W. E. Tourtellot
Arthur Bradbury
San Francisco, No. 21
Galveston, No. 28
Lawrence, No. 51
Toledo, No. 63
Norwich, No. 100
Hartford, No. 127
Pawtucket, No. 212
Lowell, No. 310
Stephen Booth
CENTRAL FALLS.
NEWPORT, R. I.
Providence Press-
F. A. Barbour
J. W. Freeman
G. P. Wetmore
men's, No. 114
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